The Great "O" Antiphons

December 23
O Emmanuel, our king and our Lord,
the anointed for the nations and
their Savior:
Come and save us, O Lord our God.

The Great "O" Antiphons

December 22
O King of the nations, the ruler
they long for, the cornerstone
uniting all people:
Come and save us all,
whom You formed out of clay.

The Great "O" Antiphons

December 21
O Dayspring, splendor of light
everlasting:
Come and enlighten those who sit
in darkness and in the shadow
of death.

The Great "O" Antiphons

December 20
O Key of David and scepter of the
house of Israel, You open and no one
can close, You close and no one
can open:
Come and rescue prisoners who
are in darkness and the shadow
of death.

The Great "O" Antiphons

December 19
O Root of Jesse, standing as an ensign
before the peoples, before whom all
kings are mute, to whom the nations
will do homage:
Come quickly to deliver us.

The Great "O" Antiphons

December 18
O Adonai and ruler of the house of
Israel, who appeared to Moses in
the burning bush and gave him the
Law on Sinai:
Come with an outstretched arm
and redeem us.

The Great "O" Antiphons

December 17
O Wisdom, proceeding from the mouth
of the Most High, pervading and
permeating all creation, mightily
ordering all things:
Come and teach us the way
of prudence.

These seven ancient antiphons are the series upon which the hymn, "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel" is based upon. They were used at Vespers during the last Seven days of Advent. They are found in the Lutheran Service Book 357. Thank you to Pastor Weedon for the idea.