The O Antiphons

During Advent, we hear anew the account of Israel's longing for salvation. How much we have in common with these men and women of old! Like them, we know captivity and oppression through the Pharaohs of our own times. Suffering and death are our lot. We shed tears of grief and sorrow. We cry out to God as the Israelites once did, "Oh, that you would rend the heavens and come down!" (Is 64:1) We ache for healing and new birth, we long for freedom and light, we hunger for justice and we thirst for peace. We yearn for the coming of our Messiah. Where is the One who will deliver us? When will He come? Who is He and "how shall we call him"?

The answers to these questions gradually unfold throughout the liturgies of Advent, both at Mass and in the Liturgy of the Hours. It is our Lord Jesus who is the Promised One. The Church reminds us of the magnificent riches of His salvation in a special way through the O Antiphons of Advent. These are short prayers that are recited before and after the Gospel Canticle of Mary, the Magnificat, during Evening Prayer from December 17 to December 23. The Gospel acclamations for Mass on these days echo the O Antiphons. Rooted in the Hebrew Scriptures, they're a collage of Old Testament types of Christ our Lord. Their messianic theme stresses the sure coming of our salvation and deliverance, and each antiphon emphasizes one of Christ’s titles as Messiah.

These antiphons, which date back to the seventh or eighth century, are called the "O Antiphons" because each one begins with the word "O". This simple, two-letter, single-syllable word is a powerful exclamation of hope, wonder, awe, astonishment and delight. Combined with the glorious Messianic titles of Christ our Lord, "O" becomes a profound prayer that leads us into the very heart of our saving God, the Word-made-flesh. The final O Antiphon on Dec 23 is the culmination of them all: O Emmanuel! God-with-us! The God who loves us and saves us comes to live among us, to make our home with and within us. O indeed!

The O Antiphons are appropriate prayers for all of us to use and ponder any time during Advent, particularly during the last few days before Christmas. The Church's use of these antiphons with the Magnificat of Our Blessed Mother is both fitting and significant because Our Lady was the mother of Jesus, bearing him in her womb "with love beyond all telling" (Preface of the Mass, Advent II). With Mary we sing a new song unto the Lord, proclaiming His greatness through all generations. Mary was also the first disciple of Christ, "standing out among the poor and humble of the Lord, who confidently hope for and receive salvation from him" (Vatican II). It was of his mother that our Lord proclaimed "Blessed are those who hear the word of God and keep it" (Luke 10:28). We learn from her true discipleship in Christ. Let us live our Advent with Mary as we make the O Antiphons our prayer and meditation in preparation for the birth of her Son, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

December 17 ~ O Wisdom, O holy Word of God, you govern all creation with your strong yet tender care. Come and show your people the way to salvation. (See Sirach 24:30; Wisdom 8:1; Proverbs 1:20, 8:9; Isaiah 11:2-3, 28:29; 40:14)

December 18 ~ O sacred Lord of ancient Israel, who showed yourself to Moses in the burning bush, who gave him the holy law on Sinai mountain: come, stretch out your mighty hand to set us free. (See Exodus 3:2; Micah 5:2; Jeremiah 32:21; Isaiah 11:4-5, 33:22; Matthew 2:6)

December 19 ~ O Flower of Jesse’s stem, you have been raised up as a sign for all peoples; kings stand silent in your presence; the nations bow down in worship before you. Come, let nothing keep you from coming to our aid. (See Isaiah 11:10, 52:15; Habakkuk 2:3; Micah 5:1; Romans 15:12; Revelation 5:5)

December 20 ~ O Key of David, O royal Power of Israel controlling at your will the gate of Heaven: Come, break down the prison walls of death for those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death; and lead your captive people into freedom. (See Isaiah 9:6, 22:22; Revelation 3:7; Psalm 107:10)

December 21 ~ O Radiant Dawn, splendor of eternal light, sun of justice: come, shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death. (See Isaiah 9:1; Malachi 4:2; Habakkuk 3:4; Malachi 3:20; Luke 1:78-79)

December 22 ~ O King of all the nations, the only joy of every human heart; O Keystone of the mighty arch of man, come and save the creature you fashioned from the dust. (See Genesis 2:7; Haggai 2:8; Psalm 118:22; Isaiah 2:4, 9:5, 28:16; Matthew 21:42; Mark 12:10; Luke 20:17; Acts 4:11; Revelation 15:3; Ephesians 2:20; I Peter 2:6)

December 23 ~ O Emmanuel, king and lawgiver, desire of the nations, Savior of all people, come and set us free, Lord our God. (See Genesis 49:10; Ezekiel 21:32; Isaiah 7:14, 8:8, 33:22; Haggai 2:7; Matthew 1:23)

The final O Antiphon is prayed on December 23. On Christmas Eve, December 24, the church prays Evening Prayer I of the Solemnity of Christmas, and in the antiphon for the Magnificat on this evening, we exult in the birth of Our Beloved Lord and Savior: "When the sun rises in the morning sky, you will see the King of kings coming forth from the Father like a radiant bridegroom from the bridal chamber." ALLELUIA!!!

Dear Mary, Virgin of Advent, O let us sing with you the glory of our Lord! Amen.