O Antiphons

Please join the monks of St. Benedict’s Abbey in praying the O Antiphons in preparation for Christmas.

Sapientia

D ecember 17

O Wisdom of our God Most High, guiding creation with power and love: come to teach us the path of knowledge!

Adonai

D ecember 18

Radix

D ecember 19

Clavis

D ecember 20

Oriens

D ecember 21

Rex

D ecember 22

O Leader of the House of Israel, giver of the Law to Moses on Sinai: come to rescue us with your mighty power!

O Root of Jesse’s stem, sign of God’s love for all his people: come to save us without delay!

O Key of David, opening the gates of God’s eternal Kingdom: come and free the prisoners of darkness!

O Radiant Dawn, splendor of eternal light, sun of justice: come and shine on those who dwell in darkness and in the shadow of death.

O King of all nations and keystone of the Church: come and save man, whom you formed from the dust!

Emmanuel

D ecember 23

O Emmanuel, our King and Giver of Law: come to save us, Lord our God! Society of St. Benedict

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O Antiphons

Published on Dec 17, 2015

Benning Creative

These seven ancient antiphons, which invoke the coming Messiah under a different title each evening, are the basis for the verses of the well-known hymn "O Come Emmanuel." The seven antiphons, each beginning with a different prophetic title are: O SAPIENTIA (O WISDOM, coming forth from the mouth of the Most High, reaching from one end to the other, mightily and sweetly ordering all things: Come and teach us the way of prudence.) O ADONAI (O LORD, and leader of the House of Israel, who appeared to Moses in the fire of the burning bush and gave him the law on Sinai: Come and redeem us with an outstretched arm.) O RADIX JESSE (O ROOT OF JESSE standing as a sign among the peoples; before you kings will shut their mouths, to you the nations will make their prayer: Come and deliver us, and delay no longer.) O CLAVIS DAVID (O KEY OF DAVID and sceptre of the House of Israel; you open and no one can shut; you shut and no one can open: Come and lead the prisoners from the prison house, those who

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