This evening at Vespers (evening prayer), the Church begins the traditional O antiphons that are recited before and after the Magnificat and highlight the prophecies of the prophet Isaiah regarding the Messiah. They are also paraphrased in the traditional Advent hymn “O Come, O Come Emmanuel.” There are 7 of them, to be recited on the seven days leading up to Christmas:
O Sapientia (O Wisdom) See Isaiah 11:2–3; 28:29.
O Adonai (O Lord) See Isaiah 11:4–5; 33:22.
O Radix Jesse (O Root of Jesse) See Isaiah 1:1; 11:10.
O Clavis David (O Key of David) See Isaiah 9:6; 22:22.
O Oriens (O Rising Sun) See Isaiah 9:1.
O Rex Gentium (O King of the Nations) See Isaiah 9:5; 2:4.
O Emmanuel (God with us) See Isaiah 7:14.
Taken from Loyola Press
Take some time each day to reflect on these attributes of the Messiah as we get closer to His Coming. May the remainder of your Advent season be filled with many graces and blessings.
Lumen Fidei Ministries 