“O…”

The beautiful Advent hymn “O come, O come Emmanuel…” is a musical setting of a set of prayers or antiphons, called, not surprisingly, the O Antiphons or the Great O Antiphons, that have been in use in the Church, certainly since the seventh/eight century, and possibly as early as the fifth century. Since that time, this set of seven prayer texts has been sung or recited over the final days of Advent, beginning on the 17th of December, during the daily Liturgy of vespers, or evening prayer. They are voiced in response to the Magnificat (Luke 1:46-55), which is recited every evening as part of evening prayer.

Each antiphon/prayer is in two parts. The first addresses God with “O” and a biblical, messianic title and concludes with a call for Him to come. The phrases of the prayers derive from Scripture. And while you may not be familiar with evening prayer, as recited by priests, religious and a growing number of lay people, you will be familiar with the O Antiphons from the verses of that well-known Advent hymn, “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel.” These prayers may, and should, be used devotionally, one a day, from December 17th to 23rd as way of meditating on the coming of Jesus, just as they have been for nearly 1500 years. Here are the texts of the “Great O’s” together with some of the biblical references, as they appear in the Evening Prayer of the Church:

  • O Wisdom, you came forth from the mouth of the Most High, You fill the universe and hold all things together in a strong yet gentle manner. O Come and teach us the way of truth. (Proverbs 8:12, Isaiah 11:2)
  • O Adonai 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: O Come, and save us with your mighty power. (Ex. 3:14b)
  • O Root(Stock) of Jesse, You stand for a signal for the nations; before You kings shall keep silence, you whom all nations acclaim. O Come and save us and do not delay. (Isaiah 11:1; Matt. 1: 1- 17; Rom. 15:12)
  • O Key of David and Sceptre of the house of Israel: What you open and no one else can close, What You close and no one may open. O Come to lead the captive from of prison; free those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death. (Isaiah 22:22)
  • O Dayspring (Rising Sun), you are the splendour of eternal light and the sun of justice. O Come and enlighten those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death. (Job 38.12; Isaiah 9:2; Lk 1:78)
  • O King (Ruler) whom all the people desire, you are the cornerstone which makes all one. O Come and save [humanity] who you made from clay. (Psalms 118:22; Isaiah 28:16)
  • O Emmanuel, you are our King and Judge, the One whom the peoples await and their Saviour. O Come and save us, Lord our God. (Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 28:20b)