O Antiphons

Starting on December 17 we sing the O Antiphons before we chant the magnificat at Evening Prayer.  Each of the O Antiphons is a name for Christ, one of his attributes in Scripture. They are over a thousand years old. If they seem familiar to you, it is probably because you  have sung them before in "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel."

When viewed from Christmas Eve backward, the first letters of the Latin texts (Emmanuel, Rex, Oriens, Clavis, Radix, Adonai, Sapentia) spell out the phrase "eros cras" ("I come tomorrow.) 

We invite you to pray them with us each day:

December 17

O Wisdom of our God Most High, guiding creation with power and love:
come to teach us the path of knowledge!

December 18

O Leader of the House of Israel, giver of the Law to Moses on Sinai:
come to rescue us with your mighty power!

December 19

O Root of Jesse’s stem, sign of God’s love for all his people:
come to save us without delay!

December 20

O Key of David, opening the gates of God’s eternal Kingdom:
come and free the prisoners of darkness!

December 21

O Radiant Dawn, splendor of eternal light, sun of justice:
come and shine on those who dwell in darkness and in the shadow of death.

December 22

O King of all nations and keystone of the Church:
come and save us, whom you formed from the dust!

December 23

O Emmanuel, our King and Giver of Law: come to save us, Lord our God!