O ANTIPHONS Beginning on December 17, as the final phase of preparation for Christmas, the Church recites or chants the O Antiphons preceding the Magnificat during Vespers of the Liturgy of the Hours. The O Antiphons express the Church's longing and expectation for the Messiah, her startled wonderment at the fullness of grace which the Christ-Child is about to bestow on the world. Their theme is the majesty of the Savior, His wisdom, His faithfulness and sanctity, His justice and mercy, His covenant with His chosen people, who in their ingratitude broke faith with Him. They are concerned with His power and love as King and Redeemer of the world, His relation to every soul as Emmanuel, God-with-us. The "O" Antiphons are the verses for the ancient hymn O Come, O Come Emmanuel. The first letter of the Messianic titles: Emmanuel, Rex, Oriens, Clavis, Radix, Adonai, Sapientia spell out Latin words ERO CRAS, meaning, "Tomorrow, I will come." O Sapientia (December 17) O Wisdom (Eccl 24: 5), You came forth from the mouth of the Most High (Sir 24: 30), and reaching from beginning to end, You ordered all things mightily and sweetly (Wis 8: 1). Come, and teach us the way of prudence (Isa 40: 14). O Adonai (December 18) O Adonai or O Lord and Ruler (Exod 6: 13) and Ruler of the house of Israel (Matt 2: 6), You appeared to Moses in the fire of the burning bush (Exod 3: 2), and on Mount Sinai gave him Your Law (Exod 20). Come, and with outstretched arm redeem us (Jer 32: 21).
O Radix Jesse (December 19) O Root of Jesse, You stand for the ensign of all mankind (Isa 11: 10); before You kings shall keep silence and to You all nations shall have recourse (Isa 52: 15). Come, save us, and do not delay (Hab 2: 3). O Clavis David (December 20) O Key of David (Rev. 3: 7) Scepter of the house of Israel, You open and no one closes; You close and no one opens (Isa 22: 22). Come, and deliver us from the chains of prison we who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death (Ps 107: 10). O Oriens (December 21) O Rising Dawn (Zac 6: 12), Radiance of the Light eternal (Hab 3: 4) and Sun of Justice (Mal 3: 20); Come, enlighten those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death (Ps 107: 10; Lk 1: 78). (December 22) O King of the Gentiles (Hag 2: 8), Desired of all, You are the cornerstone that binds two into one (Eph 2: 20). Come, and save us poor humans whom you fashion out of clay (Gen 2: 7).
O Emmanuel (December 23) O Emmanuel (Isa 7: 14; 8: 8), our King and Lawgiver (Gen 49:10; cf. Ezek 21: 32), the Expected of the nations and our Savior (Isa 33: 22): Come, and save us, O Lord our God. MAGNIFICAT My soul magnifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God Who loves me. For this God Who is, has done great things for me. My heart and my body give breath to the world. My spirit, courageous, gives meaning to hope. The God Who is tender lives deep in my heart, Holds close the children, my gift to creation; Fills friends who hunger with goodness and peace. The God Who is mercy forgives when I fall, Welcomes my efforts, Heals deepest pain. The God Who is promise gives life to my word; Gives glory to my life, the life of the world. My name is called blessed on the lips of all ages. Holy is God s gift. Holy is God s name. Carmelites of Indianapolis
O come, O come, Emmanuel, And ransom captive Israel, That mourns in lonely exile here Until the Son of God appear. Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel. O come, Thou Wisdom from on high, Who orderest all things mightily; To us the path of knowledge show, And teach us in her ways to go. O come, Thou Rod of Jesse, free Thine own from Satan s tyranny; From depths of hell Thy people save, And give them victory over the grave. O come, Thou Day-spring, come and cheer Our spirits by Thine advent here; Disperse the gloomy clouds of night, And death s dark shadows put to flight. O come, Thou Key of David, come, And open wide our heavenly home; Make safe the way that leads on high, And close the path to misery. O come, O come, great Lord of might, Who to Thy tribes on Sinai s height In ancient times once gave the law In cloud and majesty and awe.
O come, Thou Root of Jesse s tree, An ensign of Thy people be; Before Thee rulers silent fall; All peoples on Thy mercy call. O come, Desire of nations, bind In one the hearts of all mankind; Bid Thou our sad divisions cease, And be Thyself our King of Peace. ADVENT PRAYER Henri J.M. Nouwen Lord Jesus, Master of both the light and the darkness, send Your Holy Spirit upon our preparations for Christmas. We who have so much to do seek quiet spaces to hear Your voice each day. We who are anxious over many things look forward to Your coming among us. We who are blessed in so many ways long for the complete joy of Your kingdom. We whose hearts are heavy seek the joy of Your presence. We are Your people, walking in darkness, yet seeking the light. To You we say, "Come Lord Jesus!"