The seven \u201cO Antiphons\u201d are prayers that come from the Breviary\u2019s Vespers during the Octave before Christmas Eve (December 17-23), a time which is called the \u201cGolden Nights.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Each Antiphon begins with \u201cO\u201d and addresses Jesus with a unique title which comes from the prophecies of Isaiah and Micah. Each antiphon highlights a title for the Messiah. Also, each one refers to the prophecy of Isaiah of the coming of the Messiah:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
O Sapientia<\/em><\/strong>: \u201cO 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.\u201d Isaiah prophesied, \u201cWonderful is His counsel and great is His wisdom\u201d (28:29).<\/p>\n\n\n\n O Adonai<\/em><\/strong>: \u201cO sacred Lord of ancient Israel, who showed yourself to Moses in the burning bush, who gave him the holy law on mount Sinai: come, stretch out your mighty hand to set us free.\u201d Isaiah prophesied, \u201cIndeed the Lord will be there with us, majestic; yes the Lord our judge, the Lord our lawgiver, the Lord our king, he it is who will save us\u201d (33:22).<\/p>\n\n\n\n O Radix Jesse<\/em><\/strong>: \u201cO Flower of Jesse\u2019s 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.\u201d Isaiah prophesied, \u201cBut a shoot shall sprout from the stump of Jesse, and from his roots a bud shall blossom\u201d (11:1).<\/p>\n\n\n\n O Clavis David<\/em><\/strong>: \u201cO 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.\u201d Isaiah prophesied, \u201cI will place the Key of the House of David on His shoulder; when he opens, no one will shut, when he shuts, no one will open\u201d (22:22).<\/p>\n\n\n\n O Oriens<\/em><\/strong>: \u201cO Radiant Dawn, splendor of eternal light, sun of justice: come, shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death.\u201d Isaiah prophesied, \u201cThe people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; upon those who dwelt in the land of gloom a light has shown.\u201d (9:1).<\/p>\n\n\n\n O Rex Gentium<\/em><\/strong>: \u201cO 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.\u201d Isaiah had prophesied, \u201cFor a child is born to us, a son is given us; upon his shoulder dominion rests. They name him Wonder-Counselor, God-Hero, Father-Forever, Prince of Peace\u201d (9:5).<\/p>\n\n\n\n O Emmanuel<\/em><\/strong>: \u201cO Emmanuel, king and lawgiver, desire of the nations, Savior of all people, come and set us free, Lord our God.\u201d Isaiah prophesied, \u201cThe Lord himself will give you this sign: the Virgin shall be with child, and bear a son, and shall name him Emmanuel.\u201d Remember, \u2018Emmanuel\u2019 means \u201cGod with us.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Oh Come, Oh Come, Emmanuel<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n The very lovely and familiar Advent hymn, \u201cOh Come, Oh Come, Emmanuel\u201d is simply the \u201cO\u201d Antiphons set to music. When the antiphons are sung or recited in their traditional order in Latin, a reverse acrostic is formed:<\/p>\n\n\n\n S<\/strong>apientia<\/em> O<\/strong>riens<\/em> Reading backward, the first letters of each title given to Christ read, ERO CRAS<\/strong>, Latin for \u2018Tomorrow, I will come.\u2019 Each day when we sing the \u201cO Antiphons,\u201d we address Christ with a different title, and say to Him, \u201cCome!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n On the last day, December 23rd, we make our last plea for the return of \u201cEmmanuel,\u201d \u201cGod with us.\u201d And when our song is complete, Emmanuel replies, \u201cEro cras<\/em>,\u201d \u201cTomorrow I will come.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n And thus we arrive, on December 24th, at Christ\u2019s Mass.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You can sing along with \u201cVeni, Veni Emmanuel\u201d in Latin here:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A<\/strong>donai<\/em>
R<\/strong>adix Jesse<\/em>
C<\/strong>lavis David<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
R<\/strong>ex Gentium<\/em>
E<\/strong>mmanuel<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n