[Pyro7480]

If one notices the text (if they know Latin) or the translation, it is pretty obvious that this is the source of the Advent hymn Veni, Veni Emmanuel. Also, if one takes the first letter of each title in the antiphons in reverse order, the Latin sentence Ero cras ("I will be with you tomorrow") is spelled.

I found some very interesting webpages about the "O Antiphons," the links to which are below.

The O Antiphons (Women for Faith and Family)
O Wisdom: Advent's Great O Antiphons
Veni, Veni Emmanuel
Catholic Encyclopedia: O Antiphons

[Pyro7480]

Advent ping!

[mike182d]

I only wish more Catholics would actually celebrate Advent instead of indulging in secular Christmas hype.

[Pyro7480]

Please ping your lists.

[Charles Henrickson]

Thank you for this thread. I am a Lutheran pastor who appreciates the value of the church year and the rich liturgical heritage of the church catholic.

For this upcoming Fourth Sunday in Advent, the Old Testament and the Holy Gospel both include the Immanuel prophecy, and the Hymn of the Day is "Oh, Come, Oh, Come, Emmanuel."

For our final midweek Advent service next Wednesday, I will be preaching on Christ as Immanuel, and I will include a section on the "O Antiphons" and the ERO CRAS reverse acrostic. I want to include a bulletin insert with a nice-looking layout of the Latin titles, like this, only fancier:

Sapientia
Adonai
Radix
Clavis
Oriens
Rex Gentium
Emmanuel

Can anyone post such here on this thread, or at least a link?

[Salvation]

Wonderful post. When I get back to Oregon I will post some material I have there!

[Salvation]

Friday, December 17, 2004

“O” Antiphons

The “Magnificat” of Mary is always part of the Church’s evening prayer. Sometime around the eighth century, an anonymous author composed a set of antiphons to frame the Magnificat on the seven days leading up to Christmas Eve (December 17-23).

These antiphons all begin with “o” and express our longing for the coming of the Savior. The one best known is “O come, O come Emmanuel” which is the last one, used on December 23.

Today, December 17, these “O Antiphons” begin. The first addresses God as “Wisdom”:

O Wisdom, holy Word of God, you govern all creation with your strong yet tender care: come and show your people the way to salvation.”

[melsec]

Thank - you very much for this post. It indeed brought tears to my eyes. O that every heart would yearn for the coming of the Lord this Christmas.

Mel

[melsec]

Thank - you very much for this post. It indeed brought tears to my eyes. O that every heart would yearn for the coming of the Lord this Christmas.

Mel

[Salvation]

About the "Great O's"

On the evening of December 17 the final phase of preparation for Christmas begins with the first of the great "O Antiphons" of Advent. These prayers are seven jewels of liturgical song, one for each day until Christmas Eve. They seem to sum up all our Advent longing for the Savior.

The "O Antiphons" are intoned with special solemnity in monasteries at Vespers, before and after the Magnificat, Mary's prayer of praise and thanksgiving from the Gospel of Luke (2:42-55), which is sung every evening as the climax of this Hour of the Divine Office.

A vestige of the "Great Os" can be seen in verses of the familiar Advent hymn, "O Come, O Come Emmanuel".

Families interested in the liturgy have discovered these gems of liturgical poetry and use them in their evening prayers. An "O Antiphon House" -- similar to an Advent Calendar -- can be made, with seven windows, each concealing an appropriate symbol for the different "O Antiphons", and an eighth window hiding the Nativity scene. As with an Advent calendar, one window is opened each day.

The sublime meditation of the "Great Os" would be excellent for families with children who have outgrown the Jesse Tree or Advent calendar. In any case, they are beautiful additions to your family prayers in the days just before Christmas. And they form part of the classic Christmas Novena.

The "O Antiphons" appear below in English translation, with scriptural sources and suggested symbols.

---

The "O Antiphons"

O WISDOM, who came from the mouth of the Most High, reaching from end to end and ordering all things mightily and sweetly: Come, and teach us the way of prudence.
Sirach 24:2; Wisdom 8:1. Symbols: oil lamp, open book.

O LORD AND RULER of the House of Israel, who appeared to Moses in the flame of the burning bush and gave him the law on Sinai: Come, and redeem us with outstretched arm.
Exodus 3:2, 20:1. Symbols: burning bush, stone tablets.

O ROOT OF JESSE, who stands for an ensign of the people, before whom kings shall keep silence and unto whom the Gentiles shall make supplication: Come to deliver us, and tarry not.
Isaiah 11:1-3. Symbol: vine or plant with flower (especially a rose).

O KEY OF DAVID, and Scepter of the House of Israel, who opens and no man shuts, who shuts and no man opens: Come, and bring forth the captive from his prison, he who sits in darkness and in the shadow of death.
Isaiah 22:22. Symbols: key; broken chains.

O DAWN OF THE EAST, brightness of the light eternal, and Sun of Justice: Come, and enlighten them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death.
Psalm 19:6-7. Symbol: rising sun.

O KING OF THE GENTILES and their desired One, the Cornerstone that makes both one: Come, and deliver man, whom You formed out of the dust of the earth.
Psalm 2:7-8, Ephesians 2:14-20. Symbols, Crown, scepter.

O EMMANUEL, God with us, our King and Lawgiver, the expected of the nations and their Savior: Come to save us, O Lord our God.
Isaiah 7:14; 33:22. Symbols: tablets of stone, Chalice and Host.

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Adapted from Celebrating Advent and Christmas ­ A Sourcebook for Families

[Salvation]

BTTT for Day One of the Great "O Antiphons."

[Salvation]

What are the “O Antiphons”?

The Great Advent Antiphons