THE GREAT O ANTIPHONS
The Great O Antiphons are seven brief prayers that are traditionally chanted or sung on successive evenings starting on December 17. The precise origin of these texts is unknown. However, by the 8th and 9th centuries, the church in Rome and monastic communities throughout western Europe were using them at evening worship services during the season of Advent. These ancient supplications beautifully express the Christian church's profound yearning for her long expected Savior. They continue to be part of the seasonal devotions of many churches today. The Great O Antiphons form the basis of the popular Advent hymn, O Come, O Come, Emmanuel by English hymnographer John Neale.
The Great O Antiphons are rich in meaning and nuance. Each antiphon begins with the acclamation "O," addresses Christ by one of His messianic titles from the Old Testament, and ends with a heartfelt plea for His coming. The sequence of the antiphons is theologically precise, progressing from before the creation of the universe, through the messianic prophecies of Israel, and culminating with the Incarnation and birth of Christ in Bethlehem. The initials of each Latin title -- Sapientia, Adonai, Radix, Clavis, Oriens, Rex, and Emmanuel -- combine to form SARCORE. When this is arranged backwards, it spells the phrase ERO CRAS, which means "Tomorrow, I shall be." Christians since the Middle Ages have been fascinated by this coincidence because Christmas Eve (December 24) falls on the day after the singing of the final antiphon.
Click here to learn more about the Great O Antiphons.
O
Wisdom, proceeding from the mouth of the
Most High,
Pervading and permeating all creation, mightily ordering all
things:
Come
and teach us the way of prudence.
Click on the image to read a meditation on this antiphon.
O
Adonai and ruler of the house of Israel,
Who appeared to Moses in the burning bush and gave him the Law on
Sinai:
Come with an outstretched arm and redeem us.
Click on the image to read a meditation on this antiphon.
O
Root of Jesse, who stands for an ensign before the people,
Before whom kings are mute and to whom the nations will do
homage:
Come
quickly to deliver us.
Click on the image to read a meditation on this antiphon.
O
Key of David and scepter of the house of Israel,
You open and no one can close, You close and no one can open:
Come
and rescue the prisoners who are in darkness and in the
shadow of death.
Click on the image to read a meditation on this antiphon.
O
Dayspring, splendor of light everlasting:
Come
and enlighten those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death.
Click on the image to read a meditation on this antiphon.
O
King of the nations,
The ruler they long for, the rornerstone uniting all
people:
Come
and save us all, whom You formed out of clay.
Click on the image to read a meditation on this antiphon.
O
Emmanuel, our King and our Lord,
The anointed for the nations and their
Savior:
Come
and save us, O Lord our God.
Click on the image to read a meditation on this antiphon.
The meditations on the Great O Antiphons are by Rev. William Cwirla, pastor of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Hacienda Heights, CA and author of the blog Rev. Cwirla's Blogosphere.
