O! Antiphons
Starting on December 17, the first day in the Octave before Christmas, the O! Antiphons are prayed during Vespers. Each antiphon is prayed before and after the Magnificat. Additionally, each O! Antiphon is the source for the verses of the Gospel Acclamation during each of the Octave day Masses.
Note that each of the seven antiphons contain a title for Christ which, when the first letters are taken together, create an acrostic. When reversed, they spell "Ero Cras" which is Latin for "Tomorrow I come."
Also note that each of these titles are the source of the titles used in the verses of "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel."
The titles for Christ are:
- Sapientia: Wisdom
- Adonai: Lord of Israel
- Radix Jesse: Root of Jesse
- Clavis David: Key of David
- Oriens: Dayspring
- Rex Gentium: King of All Nations (Gentiles)
- Emmanuel: God with us
So, now on to the antiphons.
English
Dec 17: O Sapientia: O Wisdom, you came forth from the mouth of the Most High, and reaching from beginning to end, you ordered all things mightily and sweetly. Come, and teach us the way of prudence.
Dec 18: O Adonai: O Lord and Ruler of the house of Israel, you appeared to Moses in the fire of the burning bush, and on Mount Sinai gave him your Law. Come, and with outstretched arm redeem us.
Dec 19: O Radix Jesse: O Root of Jesse, you stand for the ensign of all mankind; before you kings shall keep silence and to you all nations shall have recourse. Come, save us, and do not delay.
Dec 20: O Clavis David:O Key of David, Scepter of the house of Israel, you open and no man closes; you close and no man opens. Come, and deliver him from the chains of prison who sits in darkness and in the shadow of death.
Dec 21: O Oriens: O Rising Dawn, Radiance of the Light eternal and Sun of Justice; Come, enlighten those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death.
Dec 22: O Rex Gentium: O King of the Gentiles, Desired of all, you are the cornerstone that binds two into one. Come, and save poor man whom you fashion out of clay.
Dec 23: O Emmanuel: O Emmanuel, our King and Lawgiver, the Expected of the nations and their Savior: Come, and save us, O Lord our God.
Latin
17 Dec: O Sapientia, quæ ex ore Altissimi prodiisti, attingens a fine usque ad finem, fortiter suaviterque disponens omnia: veni ad docendum nos viam prudentiæ.
18 Dec: O Adonai, et Dux domus Israel, qui Moysi in igne flammæ rubi apparuisti, et ei in Sina legem dedisti: veni ad redimendum nos in brachio extento.
19 Dec: O Radix Jesse, qui stas in signum populorum, super quem continebunt reges os suum, quem Gentes deprecabuntur: veni ad liberandum nos, jam noli tardare.
20 Dec: O Clavis David, et sceptrum domus Israel; qui aperis, et nemo claudit; claudis, et nemo aperit: veni, et educ vinctum de domo carceris, sedentem in tenebris, et umbra mortis.
21 Dec: O Oriens, splendor lucis æternæ, et sol justitiæ: veni, et illumina sedentes in tenebris, et umbra mortis.
22 Dec: O Rex Gentium, et desideratus earum, lapisque angularis, qui facis utraque unum: veni, et salva hominem, quem de limo formasti.
23 Dec: O Emmanuel, Rex et legifer noster, exspectatio gentium, et Salvator earum: veni ad salvandum nos Domine Deus noster.
Amen.