The O Antiphons: Daily Prayers for the Week before Christmas

As the last few days before Christmas are counted, we pray with increasing intensity for the Lord to come. Traditionally, each of the last seven days of Advent, from December 17 through December 23, received its special prayer, called the "O Antiphon." Each O Antiphon calls upon the Lord with a different title, a beautiful image of the Messiah, used by the prophets to describe the amazing promises of God. These prayers, dating from the eighth century, are created from short texts found in the prophetic and wisdom books of the Bible.

Each of the seven days before Christmas, the Sisters hold these antiphons in their hearts and sing them at Evening Prayer. We invite you to carry the antiphons with you as we prepare with joy for the coming our Our Lord.

December 17th - O Wisdom
     One of the prophets' ancient names for God was Wisdom. They wrote of Wisdome moving about the city like a beautiful woman inviting people to her home, where she would teach them to know what was good and just.

O come, O Wisdom from on high,

Who orders all things mightily;

To us the path of knowledge show,

And teach us in her ways to go.

Rejoice! Rejoice!

Emmanuel shall come to you, O Israel.

December 18th - O Lord
     Out of respect,  Jews never say the name of God aloud. When reading from the scriptures, they call God "Lord." Christians also call Jesus "Lord". He is the fulfillment of the promise that God would one day come to live among the people to strengthen and redeem them.

O come, O come, great Lord of might,

Who to your tribes on Sinai's height

In ancient times once gave the law,

In cloud, and majesty, and awe.

Rejoice! Rejoice!

Emmanuel shall come to you, O Israel

  

   

December 19th - O Flower of Jesse

     King David, the some of Jesse of Bethlehem, was the first great King of Israel. Long after he had died, the people longed for another great king who could lead them as he had done. Through the words of the prophet Isaiah, God promised that the Messiah would be a new branch on the royal family tree of Jesse and David.

O come, O Rod of Jesse's stem,

From every foe deliver them.

That trust your might pow'r to save

And give them vict'ry o'er the grace.

Rejoice! Rejoice!

Emmanuel shall come to you, O Israel.