Sunday’s hymn of the day, O
Come, O Come, Emmanuel (LB #357), is an ancient hymn based upon seven even
more ancient antiphons (called the ‘O’ Antiphons) which were used in the Office
at Vespers (the evening office) during the last seven days of Advent. Each
antiphon and each hymn stanza refers to a different title for Christ: Wisdom,
Adonai (‘Lord’), Root (or Branch) of Jesse, Key of David, Dayspring, King of
Nations, Emmanuel (‘God with Us’).
The Great ‘O’ Antiphons:
17 December -O Wisdom,
proceeding from the mouth of the Most High, pervading and permeating all
creation, mightily ordering all things: Come and teach us the way of prudence.
18 December – O Adonai and ruler of the house of Israel, who appeared to Moses in the burning bush
and gave him the Law on Sinai; Come with an outstretched arm and redeem us.
19 December - O Root of Jesse, standing as an
ensign before the peoples, before whom all kings are mute, to whom the nations
will do homage: Come quickly to deliver us.
20 December - O Key of David and Scepter of the house of
Israel, You open and no one can close, You close and no one can
open: Come and rescue the prisoners who are in darkness and the shadow of
death.
21 December - O Dayspring, Splendor of light everlasting: Come
and enlighten those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death.
22 December - O
King of the Nations, the Ruler they long for, the Cornerstone
uniting all people: Come and save us all, whom You formed out of clay.
23 December - O Emmanuel, our King and our Lord, the Anointed for the nations and their Savior: Come and save us, O Lord our God.
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