The “O” antiphon have been sung before and after the Canticle of Mary (Magnificat) at Evening Prayer since the seventh century (or so!) We at the Abbey chant the traditional Latin texts to their very ancient melody every year. They are called "O" antiphons because each begins with "O"!
There is a reason to their order. The first letter of each title of Christ in Latin listed from last to first form an acrostic: E(mmanuel), R(ex), O(riens), C(lavis), R(adix), A(donai), Sapientia give us “ero cras,” which means “I will be there tomorrow”. And, of course, the last one is sung on December 23. (Liturgically speaking the celebration of Christmas begins with Evening Prayer on December 24).
Below is the list in order, from this evening through December 23. They are familiar as the verses of the hymn “O Come, O Come Emmanuel” and from the gospel acclamations at Mass, though in both cases the order is somewhat altered.
O
Wisdom of our God Most High,
guiding creation with power and love:
come to teach us the path of knowledge!
O
Leader of the House of Israel,
giver of the Law to Moses on Sinai:
come to rescue us with your mighty power!
O Root
of Jesse’s stem,
sign of God’s love for all his people:
come to save us without delay!
O Key
of David,
opening the gates of God’s eternal Kingdom:
come and free the prisoners of darkness!
O
Radiant Dawn,
splendor of eternal light, sun of justice:
come and shine on those who dwell in darkness and in the
shadow of death.
O King
of all nations and keystone of the Church:
come and save man, whom you formed from the dust!
come to save us, Lord our God!
Copyright 2021 Abbey of St. Walburga
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