O Sapientia

The Great "O" Antiphons of Advent
In the Sarum [Anglican] use, all eight antiphons are used, beginning on December 16 and ending on the 23, leading up to the First Mass of Christmas, the Eve of December 24. In the Roman use, the observance begins on December 17, but only the first seven antiphons are used, and the observance ends, as with the Sarum use, on December 23.

Anglican use - December 16 - O Sapientia - 17 December - Roman use
O Wisdom, which camest out of the mouth of the Most High, and reachest from one end to another, mightily and sweetly ordering all things: Come and teach us the way of prudence.

Anglican use - December 17 - O Adonai - 18 December - Roman use
O Adonai, Leader of the house of Israel, who appearedst in the bush to Moses in a flame of fire, and gavest him the law in Sinai: Come and redeem us with an outstretched arm.

Anglican use - December 18 - O Radix Jesse - 19 December - Roman use
O Root of Jesse, which standest for an ensign of the people, at whom kings shall stop their mouths, whom the Gentiles shall seek: Come and deliver us, and tarry not.

Anglican use - December 19 - O Clavis David - 20 December - Roman use
O Key of David, Sceptre and the house of Israel; that openest and no man shutteth, and shuttest and no man openeth: Come and bring forth the prisoners out of the prison house.

Anglican use - December 20 - O Oriens - 21 December - Roman use
O Day-spring, Brightness of the Light everlasting, and Sun of righteousness: Come and enlighten them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death.

Anglican use - December 21 - O Rex gentium - 22 December - Roman use
O King of Nations and their Desire; the Cornerstone, who makest both one: Come and save mankind, whom thou formedst of clay.

Anglican use - December 22 - O Emmanuel - 23 December - Roman use
O Emmanuel, our King and Lawgiver, Desire of all nations and their Salvation: Come and save us, O Lord our God.

Anglican use - December 23 - O Virgo virginum
O Virgin of virgins, how shall this be? For neither before thee was any like thee, nor shall there be after. Daughters of Jerusalem, why marvel ye at me? That which ye behold is divine mystery.

These antiphons are for the week before Christmas. The Magnificat at Evensong has the antiphon of the day attached to it. They proclaim the names given to God in the Old Testament abd develop into a prophecy of the coming Messiah. They have been developed into the following Advent hymn.



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 thee, O Israel.



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


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 thee, O Israel


O come, thou Rod of Jesse’s stem,
From every foe deliver them
That trust your mighty power to save,
and give them victory o’er the grave.
Rejoice! Rejoice!
Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel


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.
Rejoice! Rejoice!
Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel


O come, O Dayspring from on high
And cheer us by your drawing nigh;
disperse the gloomy clouds of night,
and death’s dark shadows, put to flight.
Rejoice! Rejoice!
Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel


O come, Desire of nations, bind
In one the hearts of humankind;
O bid our bitter conflict cease,
And be for us our Prince of Peace.
Rejoice! Rejoice!
Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.