Advent: O Antiphons
12/17 O Sapientia (O Wisdom)
12/18 O Adonai (O Lord)
12/19 O Radix Jesse (O Root of Jesse)
12/20 O Clavis David (O Key of David)
12/21 O Oriens (O Rising Sun)
12/22 O Rex Gentium (O King of the
Nations)
12/23 O Emmanuel
The importance of "O Antiphons" is twofold:
- Each one highlights a title for the Messiah.
- Also, each one refers to the prophecy of Isaiah of the coming of
the Messiah.
1) O Wisdom,
proceeding
from the mouth of the Most High,
pervading
and permeating all creation,
mightily
order- | ing all things:
Come and teach us the |
way of prudence.
2) O Adonai
and
ruler of the house of
who
appeared to Moses in the burning bush
and
gave him the | Law on Sinai:
Come with an outstretched
arm | and redeem us.
3) O Root of Jesse,
standing
as an ensign before the peoples,
before
whom all kings are mute,
to
whom the nations | will do homage:
Come quickly to de- |
liver us.
4) O Key of David and
scepter of the house of
you
open and no one can close,
you
close and no | one can open:
Come and rescue the
prisoners
who
are in darkness and the sha- | dow
of death.
5) O Dayspring,
splendor
of light | everlasting:
Come and enlighten those
who sit in darkness
and
in the shad- | ow of death.
6) O King of the nations,
the ruler they long for,
the
cornerstone unit- | ing all people:
Come and save us all,
whom
you formed | out of clay.
7) O Emmanuel,
our king and our
lawgiver,
the
anointed of the nations | and their Savior:
Come and save us, | Lord
our God.