Celebrate the final days of the Advent season and the spirit of expectation which marks the final week before Christmas with the O-Antiphons.  Each day, beginning December 17, we will be posting a reflection on one of the O-Antiphons on our Facebook page  here.

What Are the O-Antiphons?

   An antiphon is the short phrase recited or chanted before and after a reading of a Psalm or canticle. The "O-Antiphons" have been in common use among Christians from at least the eighth century, and have traditionally been used at Evening Prayer in the Church's Liturgy of the Hours during the final days of Advent (December 17-23).
    These antiphons capture a magnificent theology of creation, redemption and restoration reflected the messianic hopes of the Old Testament. Each of the antiphons begin with "O", followed by an image or title given by the Jewish people to the future Messiah: "O Wisdom of God", "O Leader of Israel", "O Root of Jesse", "O Key of David", "O Radiant Dawn", "O King of All Nations", "O Emmanuel."  These images and titles drawn from the Jewish prophetic tradition remind Christians that for us Jewish hopes for a Messiah were fulfilled in Jesus Christ, whose presence sustains us as we await his glorious return and the arrival of the eternal Kingdom.
    Jesus is Emmanuel --"God-is-with-us"-- but we often struggle to recognize his presence among us as the wisdom who creates and orders the universe ... the lawgiver who establishes righteousness throughout the land ... the redeemer who has overcome death and rescued creation from sin ... the great king who is drawing all into the Kingdom of love.

How to Pray the O-Antiphons

   Here is our suggestion on how to pray the O-Antiphons during the final days of Advent.
 1. Recite the antiphon slowly and attentively.  Linger on a word, phrase or image which strikes you.  Imagine how and why this prayer would have been important
     to the Jewish people centuries ago.
 2. Read the reflection and think about the questions.  In what way can you relate to the questions?  In what way is this antiphon particularly applicable to your life
     this Advent?
 3. Recite the antiphon again, recalling the word, phrase or image which struck you the first time; think about why it is important to you and your loved ones.
 4. Conclude your reflection with the final prayer.
 5. If you have time, spend a few moments listening to the day’s musical selection.
 6. If you are using the reflections during the day, return to the day's reflection each evening. Re-read the day's antiphon and listen again to the musical reflection.

Learn more:
 > The O-Antiphons in Advent
 > The O-Antiphons--A Soothing Balm for Traumas
 > How the O-Antiphons Direct Our Gaze to the Coming of Our Savior 
> The Power and the Beauty of the O-Antiphons

[Last Update: 12.14.24]