Christmas Eve
The “O” Antiphons
During these last days, our prayers arise with an ever-increasing crescendo. They are cries from our hearts not only for ourselves but for the whole world, cries for the Messiah to come and reign and to set the world to rights. Christians around the world are so eager for this coming, that we cry out with one voice for Christ to come and to come quickly!Â
Isaiah 11:2 NKJV
The Spirit of the LORD shall rest upon Him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD.
O come, thou Wisdom from on high, who orderest all things mightily; to us the path of knowledge show and teach us in her ways to go.
Rejoice! Rejoice!
Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.
Exodus 6:6 NKJV
I am the LORD; I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, I will rescue you from their bondage, and I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and with great judgments.
O come, O come, thou Lord of might, who to thy tribes on Sinai’s height in ancient times didst give the law in cloud and majesty and awe.
Rejoice! Rejoice!
Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.
Isaiah 11:1 NKJV
There shall come froth a Rod from the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots.
O come, thou Branch of Jesse’s Tree, free them from Satan’s tyranny; that trust thy mighty power to save and give them victory o’er the grave.
Rejoice! Rejoice!
Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.
Isaiah 22:22 NKJV
The key of the house of David I will lay on his shoulder; so he shall open, and no one shall shut; and he shall shut, and no one shall open.
O come, thou Key of David, come and open wide our heavenly home; make safe the way that leads on high, and close the path of misery.
Rejoice! Rejoice!
Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.
Isaiah 9:2 NKJV
The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in the land of the shadow of death, upon them a light has shined.
O come, thou Dayspring from on high, and cheer us by thy drawing nigh; disperse the gloomy clouds of night, and death’s dark shadow put to flight.
Rejoice! Rejoice!
Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.
Jeremiah 10:7 NKJV
Who would not fear You, O King of the nations? For this is Your rightful due. For among all the wise men of the nations, and in all their kingdoms, there is none like You.
O come, Desire of Nations, bind in one the hearts of all mankind; bid thou our sad divisions cease, and be thyself our King of Peace.
Rejoice! Rejoice!
Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.
Isaiah 7:14 NKJV
Therefore, the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son and shall call His name Immanuel.
O come, O come, Emmanuel, and ransom captive Israel, that mourns in lonely exile here until the Son of God appear.
Rejoice! Rejoice!
Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.
(Credit: Ashley Tumlin Wallace – https://anglicancompass.com/the-o-antiphons-the-liturgical-home/)
O Come, O Come, Emmanuel
https://youtu.be/iO7ySn-Swwc?si=rEUD-DR4beDOc0qx
If you have found this meditation helpful, take a moment and give thanks to God. Then share what you learned with a friend. This is how the grace of God spreads (2 Corinthians 4.15).
