The Institute for Christian Formation
Tuesday of the Third Week of Advent
December 17, 2013
Beginning today, there is a "shift", if you will, in the focus of the Advent Season. Our readings at Mass now more directly prepare us for the birth of the Lord. The Gospel for Mass today is Matthew 1:1-17, the Genealogy of Jesus Christ. The "O Antiphons" may also be used as our Gospel Acclamation at Mass.
Perhaps one of the best known Advent hymns is “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel.” This hymn is based on what we call the “O Antiphons”. These seven antiphons call for the coming of Christ, using titles of Christ from prophecies in the Hebrew Scriptures. Each antiphon begins with the word “O.”
The O Antiphons are prayed beginning December 17 through December 23. They are prayed at Vespers, and may be used as the Gospel acclamation at Mass on these days.
These titles of Christ are Wisdom (Sapientia), Lord (Adonai), Root of Jesse (Radix Jesse), Key of David (Clavis David), Radiant Dawn (Oriens), King of Nations (Rex Gentium), and God-With-Us (Emmanuel).
If you look at the titles in Latin, the initials, taken backwards, spell ERO CRAS, which in Latin means "tomorrow I come", or "I will be tomorrow". As we conclude the O Antiphons, the birth of the Lord draws near!
The O Antiphon for today is "O Wisdom," or in Latin, "O Sapientia." It is based on Wisdom 9:17-18. You can listen to today's antiphon in Latin below:
Holy Wisdom
18th Century Russian Icon
To reflect more deeply on the O Antiphons, visit the web site of Grace Episcopal Church in Bainbridge, Washington to view the worship aide they used for an Advent Prayer celebration in December 2009.
The Jesuits of the Missouri Provence have an online Advent Examen, “Longing for the Lord,” which is based on the O Antiphons and begins today and continues through December 23. You can access this resource here.
Pastoral Liturgy has a handout on the "O Antiphons" which you can download.
