O Antiphons

Ever since my kids have been small, a simple tradition developed of singing a verse from O Come, O Come Emmanuel after saying grace before dinner and as we light the Advent wreath. It's a marvel how quickly even the two-year-old learns the words to this ancient song and it's pure entertainment and a delight to the ears to hear her belting out "REJOICE! REJOICE! EMMANUEL!"

This song is quite possibly the most familiar of all Advent music to Christians everywhere and perhaps the most ancient in origin. Once again, our journey through Advent as a family over the years has heightened my awareness and understanding of what was once just another Christmas song.

Every year, beginning on December 17 and going until December 23, the readings at Mass and the prayers of the Church take on a different nature. The anticipation of the Savior's Birth is suddenly intensified through the sudden use of static daily Mass readings, (instead of alternating around a three-year cycle, Mass readings are always the same on these days from year to year) as well as the Church's use of the O Antiphons in the Liturgy of the Hours. These antiphons are recited during the Evening Prayer (Vespers) right before the recitation of the Magnificat. (More on this below.)

What are the O Antiphons?

The O Antiphons are seven Messianic titles that referred to our Lord in the Old Testament prophecies. Long before His birth, the prophet Isaiah referred to Him as:

O Sapientia (Wisdom)

O Adonai (Lord) 

O Radix Jesse (Root of Jesse)

O Clavis David (Key of David)

O Oriens (Rising Sun)

O Rex Gentium (King of the Nations)

O Emmanuel (God is with us)

The Church still draws our attention to these titles every year at this time to express our longing for the Messiah. She does this through the Liturgy of the Hours which priests and monks around the world have prayed for at least a millennia and indeed still pray today. 

What are the Liturgy of the Hours?

The Liturgy of the Hours (also known as The Divine Office or Breviary) is, simply put, the public, daily prayer of the Church which is prayed and certain, specific times of the day. In keeping with it's monastic origins, the Liturgy of the Hours breathes a rhythm of prayer into one's day and consists of:

Morning Prayer (Lauds)

Daytime Prayer (Prima, Tertia, Sexta, Nona)

Evening Prayer (Vespers)

Nighttime Prayer (Compline) and 

The Office of Readings (Matins)

You do not have to be a priest, monk, nun or religious however to pray the Liturgy of the Hours. It is a practice that is encouraged for every Catholic to participate to some degree and as much as you are able as you are praying the same prayers with the rest of the Church throughout the world. Pope Benedict XVI has called for a renewal of people "praying the Psalms and become accustomed to using the Liturgy of the Hours, Lauds, Vespers and Compline."

Why are the O Antiphons and the Liturgy of the Hours significant?

The Benedictine monks during the early centuries of Christianity arranged the O Antiphons in a purposeful way as the custom of praying the Liturgy of the Hours became a common rule in monastic life. They noted that, working backwards from Christmas Eve, the first letter of each of the O Antiphons (Emmanuel, Rex, Oriens, Clavis, Radix, Adonai, Sapientia) form the Latin phrase, ero cras, which means, "Tomorrow, I will come" or "Tomorrow, I will be here".

For older children and even adults, these O Antiphons House can replace the Advent calendar and Jesse Tree in the octave leading up to Christmas.

It's a simple way of preparing for the Savior's birth, especially when meditated upon with the Liturgy of the Hours. Additionally, it suddenly takes a familiar Advent song and makes more sense of it. I encourage you to meditate on the words of O Come, O Come Emmanuel in a new way and if possible consider praying at least a portion of the Liturgy of the Hours* throughout your day.

O come, O come, Emmanuel,

And ransom captive Israel,

That mourns in lonely exile here

Until the Son of God appear.

Refrain: Rejoice! Rejoice!

Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.

O come, Thou Wisdom from on high,

Who orderest all things mightily;

To us the path of knowledge show,

And teach us in her ways to go.

Refrain

O come, Thou Day-spring, come and cheer

Our spirits by Thine advent here;

Disperse the gloomy clouds of night,

And death’s dark shadows put to flight.

Refrain

O come, Thou Key of David, come,

And open wide our heavenly home;

Make safe the way that leads on high,

And close the path to misery.

Refrain

O come, O come, great Lord of might,

Who to Thy tribes on Sinai’s height

In ancient times once gave the law

In cloud and majesty and awe.

Refrain

O come, Thou Root of Jesse’s tree,

An ensign of Thy people be;

Before Thee rulers silent fall;

All peoples on Thy mercy call.

Refrain

O come, Desire of nations, bind

In one the hearts of all mankind;

Bid Thou our sad divisions cease,

And be Thyself our King of Peace.

Refrain

*There are several Liturgy of the Hours apps for your smart phone which makes it even easier to remind yourself to pray. I like iBreviary for its interface but Breviarium Meum has better translations straight from the Latin text.