This Advent is a wonderful time to bring the traditions of the Church into our home
The O Antiphons are prayed every day from the 17th December - 23rd December
We love these scriptures to draw us closer to Lord Jesus and the Holy Family this Advent and Christmas.
Why not try reading them outloud together
1. Sapientia (O Wisdom) Isaiah 11:2–3; 28:29
2. O Adonai (O Lord) Isaiah 11:4–5; 33:22
3. O Radix Jesse (O Root of Jesse) Isaiah 1:1; 11:10
4. O Clavis David (O Key of David) Isaiah 9:6; 22:22
5. O Oriens (O Rising Sun) Isaiah 9:1
6. O Rex Gentium (O King of the Nations) Isaiah 9:5; 2:4
7. O Emmanuel (God with us) Isaiah 7:14
1.
Come, Leader of Ancient Israel, giver of the Law to Moses on Sinai: rescue us with your mighty power!
O Come, O come, thou Lord of might, who to thy tribes on Sinais height, in ancient times didst give the law in cloud and majesty and awe.
O Adonai: O sacred Lord of ancient Israel, who showed yourself to Moses in the burning bush, who gave him the holy law on Sinai mountain: come, stretch out your mighty hand to set us free. Isaiah had prophesied, But He shall judge the poor with justice, and decide aright for the lands afflicted. He shall strike the ruthless with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips he shall slay the wicked. Justice shall be the band around his waist, and faithfulness a belt upon his hips. (11:4-5); and Indeed the Lord will be there with us, majestic; yes the Lord our judge, the Lord our lawgiver, the Lord our king, he it is who will save us. (33:22).
2.
Come, Leader of Ancient Israel, giver of the Law to Moses on Sinai: rescue us with your mighty power!
(O Adonai et Dux domus Israel, qui Moysi in igne flammae rubi apparuisti, et ei in Sina legem dedisti: veni ad redimendum nos in bracchio extento)
O Come, O come, thou Lord of might, who to thy tribes on Sinais height, in ancient times didst give the law in cloud and majesty and awe.
O Adonai: O sacred Lord of ancient Israel, who showed yourself to Moses in the burning bush, who gave him the holy law on Sinai mountain: come, stretch out your mighty hand to set us free. Isaiah had prophesied, But He shall judge the poor with justice, and decide aright for the lands afflicted. He shall strike the ruthless with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips he shall slay the wicked. Justice shall be the band around his waist, and faithfulness a belt upon his hips. (11:4-5); and Indeed the Lord will be there with us, majestic; yes the Lord our judge, the Lord our lawgiver, the Lord our king, he it is who will save us. (33:22).
3.
Come, Flower of Jesses stem, sign of Gods love for all his people: save us without delay.
O Come, thou Rod of Jesse, free thine own from Satans tyrany; from depths of hell thy people save, and give them victory oer the grave.
O Radix Jesse: O Flower of Jesses stem, you have been raised up as a sign for all peoples; kings stand silent in your presence; the nations bow down in worship before you. Come, let nothing keep you from coming to our aid. Isaiah had prophesied, But a shoot shall sprout from the stump of Jesse, and from his roots a bud shall blossom. (11:1), and On that day, the root of Jesse, set up as a signal for the nations, the Gentiles shall seek out, for his dwelling shall be glorious. (11:10). Remember also that Jesse was the father of King David, and Micah had prophesied that the Messiah would be of the house and lineage of David and be born in Davids city, Bethlehem (Micah 5:1)
4.
Come, Key of David, opening the gates of Gods eternal kingdom: free the prisoners of darkness!
O come, thou Key of David, come and open wide our heavenly home; make safe the way that leads on high, and close the path to misery.)
O Clavis David: O Key of David, O royal Power of Israel controlling at your will the gate of Heaven: Come, break down the prison walls of death for those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death; and lead your captive people into freedom. Isaiah had prophesied, AI will place the Key of the House of David on His shoulder; when he opens, no one will shut, when he shuts, no one will open. (22:22), and His dominion is vast and forever peaceful, from Davids throne, and over His kingdom, which he confirms and sustains by judgment and justice, both now and forever. (9:6).
5.
Come, Radiant Dawn, splendor of eternal light, sun of justice: shine on those lost in the darkness of death!
(O Oriens, splendor lucis aeternae et sol iustitiae: veni, et illumina sedentes in tenebris et umbra mortis)
O Come, thou Dayspring, come and cheer our spirits by thine advent here; Disperse the gloomy clouds of night and deaths dark shadows put to flight.
O Oriens: O Radiant Dawn, splendor of eternal light, sun of justice: come, shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death. Isaiah had prophesied, The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; upon those who dwelt in the land of gloom a light has shown. (9:1).
6.
Come, King of all nations, source of your Churchs unity and faith: save all mankind, your own creation!
O Come, Desire of nations, bind in one the hearts of all mankind; bid thou our sad divisions cease, and by thyself our Prince of Peace.)
O Rex Gentium: O King of all the nations, the only joy of every human heart; O Keystone of the mighty arch of man, come and save the creature you fashioned from the dust. Isaiah had prophesied, For a child is born to us, a son is given us; upon his shoulder dominion rests. They name him Wonder-Counselor, God-Hero, Father-Forever, Prince of Peace. (9:5), and He shall judge between the nations, and impose terms on many peoples. They shall beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks; one nation shall not raise the sword against another, nor shall they train for war again. (2:4) .
7.
Come, Emmanuel, Gods presence among us, our King, our Judge: save us, Lord our God!
O Come, O Come, Emmanuel, and ransom captive Israel, that mourns in lonely exile here, until the Son of God appear.
O Emmanuel: O Emmanuel, king and lawgiver, desire of the nations, Savior of all people, come and set us free, Lord our God. Isaiah had prophesied, The Lord himself will give you this sign: the Virgin shall be with child, and bear a son, and shall name him Emmanuel. (7:14). Remember Emmanuel means God is with us.
