During the last week in the season of Advent, many liturgical churches around the world will participate in a tradition stretching back 1500 years: praying through the Great ‘O’ Antiphons. An antiphon is a psalm, anthem, or a verse from Scripture that is spoken or sung before and/or after scripture is read as part of a worship service. The Great O Antiphons are powerful Advent prayers that use seven different messianic titles, drawn from Isaiah’s prophetic writings, for the coming Christ. They also serve to remind us that Christ, whose glorious return we’re waiting for is already present with us. Each of the seven antiphons begins by addressing Jesus using an Old Testament title for the Messiah:

Dec. 17 O Wisdom, Isaiah 11:1-4

Dec. 18 O Lord, Isaiah 11:4-5 and 33:22

Dec. 19 O Root of Jesse, Isaiah 11:1-10

Dec. 20 O Key of David, Isaiah 9:6-7, 22:22

Dec. 21 O Morning Star, Isaiah 9:1-2.

Dec. 22 O King of Nations, Isaiah 2:1-4, 28:16-17

Dec. 23 O God Among Us, Isaiah 7:14.

Together, all seven prayers echo Scripture’s deepest prayer—“Come, Lord Jesus.” Revelation 22:20.

The text for "O Come, O Come, Immanuel" comes from a  seven verse poem that dates back to the 8th century. It was used in a call and response fashion during the vespers, or evening, service, which became a key teaching and worship tool in the Middle Ages, especially for people who were mostly illiterate and without access to Bibles.  In 1851, Anglican priest John Neale translated it into English, giving it the name we know today—one of the oldest and most enduring Christmas hymns.

Use the following as evening prayers, either personally or for family devotions, during the week leading up to Christmas Eve.[1]

December 17: O Wisdom, Come!

Call to Prayer: Amos 5:8 I choose to rejoice today in the coming of Wisdom in Christ at Christmas, joining with the ancient praise of all God’s people in the second verse of O Come, O Come, Immanuel.

Old Testament Reading: Isaiah 11:1-4

Epistle Reading: 1 Corinthians 1:26-31

Gospel Reading: John 1:1-5

Silent Reflection: Where do I most need the Wisdom of God in my life right now to give me counsel, clarity and guidance? Ask Jesus who is the Wisdom of God, to teach you the way discernment. James 1:5

The Lord’s Prayer

Concluding Prayer: Lord God, fill my heart with your love and my mind with your wisdom so that my actions will be pleasing to you. May your peace, which surpasses all understanding, guard my heart and mind in Christ Jesus, through your Holy Spirit. Amen.

December 18: O Lord of Israel, Come

Call to Prayer: Psalm 119:55 I choose to rejoice today in the coming of Christ as Lord of lords, joining with the ancient praise of all God’s people in the third verse of O Come, O Come, Immanuel.

Old Testament Reading: Isaiah 11:4-5, 33:22

Epistle Reading: Galatians 6:1-5

Gospel Reading: Matthew 7:24-29

Silent Reflection: Where in my life do I need more than the meekness, kindness, and comfort of Christ this Christmas? Where do I currently need the earth-shaking mystery and power of the Lord let loose? Psalm 89:13

The Lord’s Prayer

Concluding Prayer: Lord God, fill my heart with zeal and my mind with saving knowledge of your way so that my actions will be pleasing to you. May your peace, which surpasses all understanding, guard my heart and mind in Christ Jesus, through your Holy Spirit. Amen.

December 19: O Root of Jesse, Come

Call to Prayer: Psalm 54:2 I choose to rejoice today in this fascinating aspect of Christ’s coming at Christmas, joining with the ancient praise of all God’s people in the fourth verse of O Come, O Come, Immanuel.

Old Testament Reading: Isaiah 11:1-10

Epistle Reading: Romans 15:7-9, 12

Gospel Reading: Luke 1:26-33

Silent Reflection: Is there a part of my story, a past hope or unfulfilled promise, that feels forgotten, cut off, or buried like a fallen tree or half-dead root? Ask the Lord to surprise you in the coming year by reviving this root in your life. Isaiah 49:18

The Lord’s Prayer

Concluding Prayer: Lord God, fill my heart with love for all nations and all people, and my mind with understanding to serve them so that my actions will be pleasing to you. May your peace, which surpasses all understanding, guard my heart and mind in Christ Jesus, through your Holy Spirit. Amen.

December 20: O Key of David, Come

Call to Prayer: Psalm 42:8 I choose to rejoice today in the Key that sets me free, joining with the ancient praise of all God’s people in the fifth verse of O Come, O Come, Immanuel.

Old Testament Reading: Isaiah 9:6-7, 22:22

Epistle Reading: Revelation 3:7, 11-12

Gospel Reading: Matthew 16:13-19

Silent Reflection: Are there any areas of my life that feel “locked up”? Ask for the extraordinary royal power that comes with the Key of David, asking its Holder to come now and set me free.

The Lord’s Prayer

Concluding Prayer: Lord God, fill my heart with love for one another and my mind with wise counsel so that my actions will be pleasing to you. May your peace, which surpasses all understanding, guard my heart and mind in Christ Jesus, through your Holy Spirit. Amen.

December 21: O Morning Star, Come

Call to Prayer: Psalm 139:11-12 I choose to rejoice today in the light that dawn in the darkness, joining with the ancient praise of all God’s people in the sixth verse of O Come, O Come, Immanuel.

Old Testament Reading: Isaiah 9:1-2

Epistle Reading: Revelation 22:12-13, 16b-17

Gospel Reading: Luke 1:68-79

Silent Reflection: Where is there darkness in my life today? I name the shadows of shame or heartbreak, anxiety of depression, disorientation or disappointment, and of loss. With all my soul I long for the Morning Star and the promise that things are about to change.

The Lord’s Prayer

Concluding Prayer: Lord God, fill my heart with mercy and my mind with discernment so that my actions will be pleasing to you. May your peace, which surpasses all understanding, guard my heart and mind in Christ Jesus, through your Holy Spirit. Amen.

December 22: O King of Nations, Come

Call to Prayer: Psalm 65:1-2 I choose to rejoice today in the King of the nations, the cornerstone of the Church, who comes to save humanity, whom the Creator formed from the dust of the earth, joining with the ancient praise of all God’s people in the seventh verse of O Come, O Come, Immanuel.

Old Testament Reading: Isaiah 2:1-4, 28:16-17

Epistle Reading: Ephesians 2:17-22

Gospel Reading: Matthew 21:33-42

Silent Reflection

The Lord’s Prayer

Concluding Prayer: Lord God, fill my hearty with hope and my mind with welcome for your restoring grace so that my actions will be pleasing to you. May your peace, which surpasses all understanding, guard my heart and mind in Christ Jesus, through your Holy Spirit. Amen.

December 23: O God Among Us, Come

Call to Prayer: Psalm 141:2 I choose to rejoice today in Immanuel, our king and lawgiver, the desire of all nations and their salvation; come and save us, O Lord our God. I join with the ancient praise of all God’s people in verse one of O Come, O Come, Immanuel.

Old Testament Reading: Isaiah 7:14

Epistle Reading: Romans 1:1-7

Gospel Readings: Matthew 1:20b-23; Luke 1:46-55

Silent Reflection: Where do I need reassurance that Immanuel is with me? Ask the Holy Spirit to come to you in surprising ways today.

The Lord’s Prayer

Concluding Prayer: Lord God, fill my heart with joy and my mind with awareness of your presence so that my actions will be pleasing to you. May your peace, which surpasses all understanding, guard my heart and mind in Christ Jesus, through your Holy Spirit. Amen.

 

[1] This introduction summary was gleaned from various internet sources and from the Lectio365 app. The daily worship is a simplified outline from https://ifl.web.baylor.edu/sites/g/files/ecbvkj771/files/2022-11/AdventWorshipKruschwitz.pdf