The Rhythm of Liturgy

 

On December 17th, the Church’s Advent liturgy begins to focus in

a particular way on the Nativity of the Lord.  The prayers, readings,

and preface at Mass as well as the readings, antiphons for the Gospel canticles, intercessions, and prayers at the Liturgy of the Hours concentrate more resolutely than during the preceding days of Advent on the coming
feast of the Nativity of the Lord.

The seven great “O Antiphons” have a particular role in these days

as they have been used for centuries as the antiphons for the Magnificat. Each antiphon, always sung in a very similar melody, begins with 'O'

and addresses Christ with a unique title from the prophecies of Isaiah

and Micah.  Each is followed by the petition that Jesus come to us (veni)

and act on our behalf: 

• December 17: O Sapientia (O Wisdom)
• December 18: O Adonai (O Lord)
• December 19: O Radix Iesse (O Root of Jesse)
• December 20: O Clavis David (O Key of David)
• December 21: O Oriens (O Daystar) [after this date, the days get longer)
• December 22: O Rex Gentium (O King of the Nations)
• December 23: O Emmanuel (O God-with-Us)

When taken together from the last title to the first,

the first letters of each title form a wonderful Latin acrostic:

This is the Lord’s response

to the Church’s ardent petition that He come (veni):

Ero cras (I will be there tomorrow)!

  

 NOTE:  Some have used the O Antiphons as the basis of a Novena

up to and including Christmas Day.

Perhaps this "last lap" of Advent could also include

daily Mass and/or daily Adoration.

O come, O come, Emmanuel!