The great Eucharistic hymn, "Gloria in excelsis," is omitted in Advent, in order, say the symbolists, that on Christmas night, when it was first sung by the angels, it may be chanted with the greater eagerness and devotion. The "Te Deum" at Matins too is left unsaid, because Christ is regarded as not yet come. But "Alleluia" is not omitted, because Advent is only half a time of penitence: there is awe at the thought of the Coming for Judgment, but joy also in the hope of the Incarnation to be celebrated at Christmas, and the glory in store for the faithful.{3} Looking forward is above all things the note of Advent; the Church seeks to share the mood of the Old Testament saints, and she draws more now than at any other season, perhaps, on the treasures of Hebrew prophecy for her lessons, antiphons, versicles, and responds. Looking for the glory that shall be revealed, she awaits, at this darkest time of the year, the rising |92| of the Sun of Righteousness. _Rorate, coeli, desuper_--the mood comes at times to all idealists, and even those moderns who hope not for a supernatural Redeemer, but for the triumph of social justice on this earth, must be stirred by the poetry of the Advent offices. It is at Vespers on the seven days before Christmas Eve that the Church's longing finds its noblest expression--in the antiphons known as the "Great O's," sung before and after the "Magnificat," one on each day. "O Sapientia," runs the first, "O Wisdom, which camest out of the mouth of the Most High, and reachest from one end to another, mightily and sweetly ordering all things: come and teach us the way of prudence." "O Adonai," "O Root of Jesse," "O Key of David," "O Day-spring, Brightness of Light Everlasting," "O King of the Nations," thus the Church calls to her Lord, "O Emmanuel, our King and Lawgiver, the Desire of all nations, and their Salvation: come and save us, O Lord our God."{4} At last Christmas Eve is here, and at Vespers we feel the nearness of the great Coming. "Lift up your heads: behold your redemption draweth nigh," is the antiphon for the last psalm. "To-morrow shall be done away the iniquity of the earth," is the versicle after the Office Hymn. And before and after the "Magnificat" the Church sings: "When the sun shall have risen, ye shall see the King of kings coming forth from the Father, as a bridegroom out of his chamber."