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The Great 'O Antiphons'

Posted on December 16, 2020 in: General News, Prayer, Music

The Great 'O Antiphons'

O Come, O Come, Emmanuel is a well-recognized hymn tune that comes from 1200s in France. These Antiphons are to be sung/said in the context of Vespers before and after the Magnificat or song of Mary from December 17 to December 23. Perhaps adopt a tradition of praying through these as Christmas Eve approaches:

December 17:                                   

O come, O Wisdom from on high,
Who order all things mightily;
To us the path of knowledge show,
And teach us in her ways to go.
Rejoice! Rejoice!
Emmanuel shall come to you, O Israel.

December 18:

O come, O come, great Lord of might,
Who to your tribes on Sinai’s height
In ancient times once gave the Law
In cloud and majesty and awe.
Rejoice! Rejoice!
Emmanuel shall come to you, O Israel.

December 19:

O come, O Rod of Jesse’s stem,
From every foe deliver them
That trust your mighty power to save,
And give them victory over the grave.
Rejoice! Rejoice!
Emmanuel shall come to you, O Israel.

December 20:

O come, O Key of David, come,
And open wide our heavenly home;
Make safe the way that leads on high,
And close the path to misery.
Rejoice! Rejoice!
Emmanuel shall come to you, O Israel.

December 21:

O come, O Dayspring from on high
And cheery us by your drawing nigh;
Disperse the gloomy clouds of night,
And death’s dark shadow put to flight.
Rejoice! Rejoice!
Emmanuel shall come to you, O Israel.

December 22:

O come, Desire of nations, bind
In one the hearts of humankind
O bid our sad divisions cease,
And be for us our King of Peace.
Rejoice! Rejoice!
Emmanuel shall come to you, O Israel.

December 23:

O come, O come, Emmanuel,
And ransom captive Israel,
That mourns in lonely exile here
Until the Son of God appear.
Rejoice! Rejoice!
Emmanuel shall come to you, O Israel.


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