The Great "O"Antiphons are brief prayers that are chanted or sung from Dec. 17 to 23. The origin of these prayers is not certain, but it is probable that they were composed in the seventh or eighth centuries when the monks put together texts from the Old Testament. The Church in Rome and the monastic communities throughout Western Europe chanted the "O" Antiphons during Evening Prayer, also known as Vespers.
Each antiphon begins with the acclamation "O" followed by a different title for the Messiah. In the Middle Ages it was traditional to ring the great bells of the church each evening as the "O" Antiphons were sung.
Today, in the Liturgy of the Hours, the Magnificat is preceded by one of the "O"Antiphons that links the prayer to the feast of the day or season of the year. In the last seven days of Advent, the antiphons are very special. Each begins with the acclamation "O" and ends with a plea for the Messiah to come. As Christmas approaches the cry becomes increasingly urgent.
It is interesting to note that the first letter of each antiphon – Sapientia, Adonai, Radix, Clavis, Oriens, Rex, Emmanuel – when read backwards forms an acrostic in Latin: "Ero cras." This can be understood as the words of Christ, responding to His people’s plea, saying, "Tomorrow I will be there."
Saying the "O" Antiphons as a family – during grace at meals, in front of the manger scene or the Christmas tree – is a wonderful Advent devotion and a time to read, meditate and reflect on the Scriptural texts which form the basis for the "O" Antiphons.
- Dec. 17 – O Sapientia: "O Wisdom you come forth from the mouth of the Most High. You fill the universe and hold all things together in a strong yet gentle manner. O come to teach us the way of truth."
- Dec. 18 – O Adonai: "O Adonai and leader of Israel, you appeared to Moses in the burning bush and you gave him the Law on Sinai. O come and save us with your mighty power."
- Dec. 19 – Radix Jesse: "O Stock of Jesse, you stand as a signal for the nations; kings fall silent before you whom the peoples acclaim. O come to deliver us, and do not delay."
- Dec. 20 – O Clavis David: "O Key of David and scepter of Israel, what you open no one else can close again; what you close no one can open. O come to lead the captive from prison; free those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death."
- Dec. 21 – O Oriens: "O Rising Sun, you are the splendor of eternal light and the sun of justice. O come and enlighten those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death."
- Dec. 22 – O Rex Gentium: "O King whom all the peoples desire, you are the cornerstone which makes all one. O come and save man whom you made from clay."
- Dec. 23 – O Emmanuel: "O Emmanuel, you are our king and judge, the One whom the peoples await and their Savior. O come and save us, Lord, our God."
— The Crossroads Initiative: A Ministry of Dr. Marcellino D’Ambrosio, online at www.crossroadsinitiative.com.