The great o's

Tomorrow evening we begin our final preparation for Christmas with the great O Antiphons of Advent. This started back in the eighth century and the Church has continued it ever since. What is the Great O's? It is seven prayers (one for each day until Christmas Eve) which are sung accompanying the Magnificat canticle of Evening Prayer from December 17-23.

The importance of O Antiphons is twofold: each one highlights a title for the Messiah: O Sapientia (O Wisdom), O Adonai (O Lord), O Radix Jesse (O Root of Jesse), O Clavis David (O Key of David), O Oriens (O Rising Sun), O Rex Gentium (O King of the Nations), and O Emmanuel. Also, each one refers to Isaiah's prophecy of the coming of the Messiah. Learn and pray these beautiful prayers of the “O Antiphons”, I will post a new one each day. You’ll recognize them as part of the hymn, O Come, O Come Emmanuel.