The O Antiphons

     The O Antiphons are a series of seven short sentences that are recited at Evening Prayer beginning on December 17 until Christmas. They are most commonly found in the hymn,

O Come, O Come Emmanuel.  They have been used in the Catholic Church since before the 4th century.  Each Antiphon begins with a title for Jesus drawn from the book of the Prophet Isaiah. 

Advent is a time of waiting for the Messiah and the O Antiphons focus our Attention and Expectation for His Coming. 

Each antiphon begins with the word COME.  

They seek to stir up our longing and excitement for the one who will come to save us. 

And everyone needs saving. 

Saving from one thing or another;

Saving from sin;

Saving from death;

Saving from violence or war;

Saving from Poverty and Illness;

Saving from fear or anxiety;

Saving from sorrow and sadness;

Saving from addictions;

Saving from division in our families and society. 

And so we pray with longing, with desire, with hearts aching to be saved. 

Come O Lord and set us free!

And with each O Antiphon, the Longing and Desire increases

Until they become a cry,

Come now!

Hurry!

Do not delay!

For we cannot wait much longer!