The O Antiphons

The last seven evenings of Advent, from tomorrow to Dec. 23,  are traditionally spent praying a set of ancient prayers called the “O Antiphons.”  Each night addresses Christ by a different title, based upon the Messianic prophesies in the Book of Isaiah.  Most people are familiar with these titles from the hymn, O Come, O Come, Emmanuel, which is based upon the O Antiphons:

• Dec 17: O Sapientia (O Wisdom), 
• Dec 18:  O Adonai (O Lord), 
• Dec 19:  O Radix Jesse (O Root of Jesse), 
• Dec 20:  O Clavis David (O Key of David), 
• Dec 21:  O Oriens (O Rising Sun), 
• Dec 22:  O Rex Gentium (O King of the Nations), and 
• Dec 23:  O Emmanuel

The first letter of each Messianic title, read from Dec. 23 backwards, spells “ero cras,” or “Tomorrow, I come,” which is fitting, since the next night is the Christmas Vigil.

This Advent, I plan to do a short post, each day from tomorrow to the 23rd, highlighting the O Antiphon of the day, because I think it's one of the best ways of prayerfully preparing for Christmas.