From December 17 to 23, the Church prays seven ancient hymns known as the ‘O Antiphons’. Sung at Vespers before and after the Magnificat, these brief invocations carry the longing of centuries. Each begins with the cry “O”, and addresses Christ by a different Old Testament title, pleading “come.” They are countdown prayers, marking the final days before Christmas. For many, these antiphons remain hidden treasures, not yet integrated into daily prayer life. Yet they offer a remarkably practical framework for Advent preparation.
O Sapientia – O Wisdom
O Wisdom, you come forth from the mouth of the Most High. You fill the universe and hold all things together in a strong yet gentle manner. O come to teach us the way of truth.
The first antiphon addresses Christ as divine Wisdom, the ordering principle of creation. In our age of information overload and competing voices, we desperately need this gift. Examine what wisdom sources guide your decisions. Are you seeking God’s perspective through Scripture and prayer, or relying solely on cultural messaging and personal preference? Set aside time for lectio divina (prayerful Scripture reading) allowing divine Wisdom to speak into your specific circumstances. Consider: Where do I need Christ’s ordering presence in my chaotic life? What area needs His “mighty and sweet” governance?
O Adonai – O Lord
O Adonai and leader of Israel, you appeared to Moses in a burning bush and you gave him the Law on Sinai. O come and save us with your mighty power.
Adonai is the sacred name of God, the Lord who reveals Himself in fire and law, who leads His people from slavery to freedom. Reflect on areas of personal bondage – patterns of sin, destructive habits, relationships that diminish rather than build up. The Exodus story reminds us that God not only liberates but leads us toward the Promised Land. Make a concrete examination of conscience. Where do I need redemption? What enslaves me? Then, with confidence in God’s outstretched arm, bring these areas to the Sacrament of Reconciliation if possible; chart a practical path forward with a spiritual director.
O Radix Jesse – O Root of Jesse
O Root of Jesse, you stand as a signal for the nations; kings fall silent before you whom the peoples acclaim. O come to deliver us, and do not delay.
This antiphon invokes Christ as the fulfilment of God’s promise to David, the shoot from Jesse’s stump who would restore the kingdom. Consider your spiritual genealogy. Who has handed faith down to you? Who are the “roots” that nourish your spiritual life? Write a letter of gratitude to someone – parent, grandparent, teacher, friend – who planted seeds of faith in your life. If they have died, pray for them. Then ask: How am I becoming a root for others? To whom can I pass on the faith? Make one concrete plan to share your faith with someone this Advent, whether through invitation, conversation or example.
O Clavis David – O Key of David
O Key of David and sceptre of Israel, what you open no one else can close again; what you close, no one can open. O come and lead the captive from prison; free those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death.
Christ holds the keys; He alone can open what is locked, free what is imprisoned, illuminate what is dark. What is locked within you? Perhaps unforgiveness, buried grief, secret shame, or hidden gifts never offered to the world. Spend time in prayer asking Christ to unlock these sealed chambers. Journaling can help; write honestly about what you keep locked away and why. Consider whether spiritual direction might help you open doors you’ve kept closed.
O Oriens – O Rising Dawn
O Rising Sun, you are the splendour of eternal light and the sun of justice. O come and enlighten those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death.
Christ is invoked as the Light breaking through our deepest darkness. Keep a vigil. Light candles and sit in the darkness, waiting for dawn. This can be literal (staying up late or rising before sunrise) or symbolic (spending extended time in prayer during dark hours). Reflect on areas of your life that feel dark: doubt, depression, confusion, loss. Don’t try to solve or fix; simply bring the darkness into Christ’s light. Think of serving those in darkness: visit someone isolated or lonely, bring light to a dark situation in your community.
O Rex Gentium – O King of All Nations
O King whom all the peoples desire, you are the cornerstone which makes all one. O come and save man, whom you made from clay.
Christ is the cornerstone that holds the human family together, the King who unites what is divided. Examine divisions in your life: family rifts, broken friendships, political polarization, racial or economic barriers. Choose one concrete relationship that needs healing and take a step toward reconciliation. This might mean initiating a difficult conversation, writing a letter, offering forgiveness or asking for it. On a broader scale, support work that builds bridges across divides – organisations working for justice, reconciliation or peace. Pray specifically for world leaders and for peace in regions of conflict.
O Emmanuel – O God-with-us
O Emmanuel, you are our king and judge, the One whom the peoples await and their Saviour. O come and save us, Lord our God.
The final antiphon uses the name that captures Christmas mystery most fully: God-with-us. God chooses to be with us. Practice radical presence. Put away distractions and truly be present to those before you – family, friends, even strangers. Practice what Brother Lawrence called the “practice of the presence of God,” turning your attention frequently to the God who is always with you. As Christmas preparations reach their peak, resist the urge to rush. Instead, make each interaction, each task, an act of presence. Prepare your home and heart not just for Christmas Day but for ongoing awareness of Emmanuel – God with us, today and always.
John Dalla Costa’s new book, Christ Amongst Us Coming Still, co-authored by Fr Clement C. Obiorah, OCD, is a seven-week advent programme on the O Antiphons and can serve as a guide to our meditation on them.