O Anitphons

As we are preparing for Christmas, from December 17-23th we recite the O Antiphons during evening prayer before and after the Canticle of Mary, The Magnificat.  The O Antiphons are very important within the Catholic Church and have been a part of the Church history since the 4th century. 

The O Antiphons express the longing for the Jesus and 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 (O God With Us).  The first letter of each of these titles, when read backwards, form the Latin words: "Ero Cras" which means "Tomorrow I come".

This year we are using our beautiful O Antiphons Ornaments from JesseTreeTreasures and their reflections.  Some people give special gifts and do activities with each day as well, which I hope to add in years to come as our children get older (baby steps!)  If you are looking for ideas my favorite are from Jessica at Shower of Roses!


Our "O Antiphons" Ornaments

Isaiah 9:6:  For a child is born to us, and a son is given to us, and the government is upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, God the Mighty, the Father of the world to come, the Prince of Peace.

December 17th:  O Sapientia (O Wisdom)

Isaiah 11:2-3:  And the spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him: the spirit of wisdom, and of understanding, the spirit of counsel and of fortitude, the spirit of knowledge, and of godliness.  And he shall be filled with the spirit of the fear of the Lord, He shall not judge according to the sight of the eyes, nor reprove according to the hearing of the ears.

December 18th:  O Adonai (O Lord)

Isaiah 11:4-5:  But he shall judge the poor with justice, and shall prove with equity the meek of the earth: and he shall strike the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips he shall slay the wicked.  And justice shall be the girdle of his loins: and faith the girdle of his reins.

December 19th:  O Radix Jesse (O Root of Jesse)

Isaiah 11:1:  And there shall come forth a rod out of the root of Jesse, and a flower shall rise up out of his root

December 20th:  O Clavis David (O Key of David)

Isaiah 22:22:  And I will lay the key of the house of David upon his shoulder: and he shall open, and none shall shut: and he shall shut, and none shall open.

December 21st:  O Oriens (O Rising Sun)

Isaiah 9:2: The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: to them that dwelt in the region of the shadow of death, light is risen.

December 22nd:  O Rex Gentium (O King of the Nations)

Isaiah 9:7:  His empire shall be multiplied, and there shall be no end of peace: he shall sit upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to establish it and strengthen it with judgment and with justice, from henceforth and for ever: the zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this. 

December 23rd:  O Emmanuel (O God with Us)

Isaiah 7:14:  Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign.  Behold a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son and his name shall be called Emmanuel.