Since the sixth century, the Church has celebrated the final week of Advent by singing the seven Great ‘O’ Antiphons. These songs are based on seven titles ascribed above the altar in the cavern underneath the Church of the Nativity, the traditional site for the birth of Jesus. As we prepare to shift from the waiting of Advent to the celebration of Christmastide, I share these seven antiphons with you (along with the Scripture text associated with them). I encourage you to find them being sung online (Latin or English versions) or listen to “O Come, O Come Emmanuel” with all seven verses included. My hope is they will serve as an aid to your worship this season and as a reminder that the one whose birth we celebrate is no mere babe but is God incarnate.
O Wisdom, coming forth from the mouth of the Most High, reaching from one end to the other, mightily and sweetly ordering all things: Come and teach us the way of prudence. (Isaiah 11:1-4)
O Adonai, Lord and leader of the House of Israel, who appeared to Moses in the fire of the burning bush and gave him the law on Sinai: Come and redeem us with an outstretched arm. (Exodus 24:12, 15-18)
O Root of Jesse, standing as a sign among the peoples; before you kings will shut their mouths, to you the nations will make their prayer: Come and deliver us, and delay no longer. (Isaiah 11:10-12)
O Key of David and sceptre of the House of Israel; you open and no one can shut; you shut and no one can open: Come and lead the prisoners from the prison house, those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death. (Isaiah 22:21-24)
O Morning Star, splendour of light eternal and sun of righteousness: Come and enlighten those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death. (Revelation 22:12-17)
O King of nations, and their desire, the cornerstone making both one: Come and save the human race, which you fashioned from clay. (Isaiah 9:6-7)
O Emmanuel, our king and our lawgiver, the hope of the nations and their Savior: Come and save us, O Lord our God. (Matthew 1:18-25)
Merry Christmas!!
