The seven “O” Antiphons are ancient texts developed for use during the last seven days of Advent (December 17–23). Eventually these antiphons were gathered into the well-known hymn “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel.” Today these ancient prayers can be used in a variety of ways during the season of Advent, as the following examples suggest.

The Traditional Texts
First antiphon, December 17
O Wisdom, O holy Word of God (Sirach 24:3), you govern all creation with your strong yet tender care (Wisdom of Solomon 8:1). Come and show your people the way to salvation (Isaiah 40:3–5a).

Second antiphon, December 18
O sacred Lord of ancient Israel (Exodus 6:2–3), who showed yourself to Moses in the burning bush (Exodus 3:2), who gave him the holy law on Sinai mountain: come, stretch out your mighty hand to set us free (Exodus 6:6).

Third antiphon, December 19
O Flower of Jesse’s stem, you have been raised up as a sign for all peoples (Isaiah 11:10; Rom. 15:12); kings stand silent in your presence (Isaiah 5:15); the nations bow down in worship before you. Come, let nothing keep you from coming to our aid (Habakkuk 2:3; Hebrews 10:37).

Fourth antiphon, December 20
O Key of David, O royal Power of Israel, controlling at your will the gate of heaven (Isaiah 22:22; Revelation 3:7): come, break down the prison walls of death for those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death; and lead your captive people into freedom (Isaiah 42:7; Psalm 107:14; Luke 1:79).

Fifth antiphon, December 21
O Radiant Dawn (Isaiah 58:8), splendor of eternal light (Hebrews 1:3), sun of justice (Malachi 4:2): come, shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death (Luke 1:78–79; Isaiah 9:2).

Sixth antiphon, December 22
O King of all the nations, the only joy of every human heart (Haggai 2:8); O Keystone (Isaiah 28:16) of the mighty arch of man (Ephesians 2:14): come and save the creature you fashioned from the dust (Genesis 2:7).

Seventh antiphon, December 23
O Emmanuel (Isaiah 7:14, 8:8), king and lawgiver (Isaiah 33:22), desire of the nations (Genesis 49:10), Savior of all people, come and set us free, Lord our God.

A Traditional Form of the “O” Antiphons for Use as a Call to Worship
O Wisdom proceeding from the mouth of the highest,
reaching from eternity to eternity
and disposing all things with strength and sweetness:

Come, teach us the way of knowledge.
O Lord and Leader of Israel,
you appeared to Moses in the burning bush
and delivered the law to him on Sinai:

Come, redeem us by your outstretched arm.
O Root of Jesse, you stand as a sign of the people; before you rulers do not open their mouths; to you all nations shall pray:

Come and deliver us, do not delay.
O Key of David and Scepter of Israel, you open and no one shuts; you shut and no one opens:

Come and release from prison those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death.
O Dayspring, Splendor of Eternal Light and Sun of Righteousness:

Come and enlighten those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death.
O King of nations,

Come and save those whom you formed of clay.
O Emmanuel, our King and Lawgiver, the Expectation and Savior of the nations:

Come and save us, O Lord our God.

The “O” Antiphons as a Form of Prayer
LEADER: O wisdom, O holy word of God, you watch over all creation with a strong and tender eye.
PEOPLE: Come and lead your people into the way to salvation.
LEADER: O sacred Lord of the Hebrew people, who revealed yourself to Moses in the burning bush and delivered the holy law to him on Mount Sinai.
PEOPLE: Come, stretch forth your mighty arm and set us free.
LEADER: O flower of Jesse’s stem, you have grown up as a sign for all peoples; kings stand silent in your presence and all the nations bow down to worship you.
PEOPLE: Come, let nothing keep you from coming quickly to our aid.
LEADER: O key of David, O royal power of Israel, you who control the gate of heaven, come, destroy the prison of death and release those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death.
PEOPLE: Come, release your captive people into freedom.
LEADER: O radiant dawn, you who are the Splendor of eternal light and the son of justice.
PEOPLE: Come, let your light shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death.
LEADER: O king of all people, the one who is the only joy of every human heart, O cornerstone who binds all people together.
PEOPLE: Come and save the people you fashioned from dust.
LEADER: O Emmanuel, the King and lawgiver, the desire of all the nations, the Savior of all people.
PEOPLE: Come and set us free, O Lord our God.