WORSHIP NOTES
Volume 19, No. 11 (December 2024)
THE “O” ANTIPHONS
“O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” is one of the oldest songs in our hymnals. The words are translated from seven Latin antiphons—that is, responsive prayers—that date back to the 8th century. Together these verses are known as the “O Antiphons” since all seven begin with the word “O”:
O Wisdom (Sapientia)
O Lord (Adonai)
O Rod of Jesse (Radix Jesse)
O Key of David (Clavis David)
O Dayspring (Oriens) – also “Morning Star”
O Ruler of All Nations (Rex Gentium)
O Emmanuel — which we keep in the English and means “God with us”
The verses were originally sung as plainchant. The tune we sing to today (called VENI EMMANUEL) came much later. Although its melody goes back to the 15th century, it wasn’t harmonized and wedded to these verses until 1851. As we find with many of our most-loved hymns, such as Amazing Grace, the lyrics and melody had distinct histories before ending up together.
PREPARE THE WAY
Traditionally the seven O Antiphons were sung individually on the seven last days of Advent. The first letters of those seven Latin verses form a Latin acrostic: arranged backwards, they spell ERO CRAS, which means “Tomorrow, he is coming.”
These antiphons can be used as a guide to prayer for the week prior to Christmas day. Starting on December 17th, work through one image per day for the remaining days of Advent. Each one is rooted in at least one scriptural theme:
December 17: O Wisdom – John 1:1-3
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being.
December 18: O Lord – Psalm 110:1
The LORD says to my Lord:
“Sit at my right hand,
until I make your enemies your footstool.”
December 19: O Root of Jesse – Isaiah 11:1-3
A shoot shall come out from the stump of Jesse, and a branch shall grow out of his roots. The spirit of the Lord shall rest on him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord. His delight shall be in the fear of the Lord.
December 20: O Key of David – Revelation 3:7
And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: “These are the words of the holy one, the true one, who has the key of David, who opens and no one will shut, who shuts and no one opens.“
December 21: O Dayspring – Luke 1:78
” . . . the tender mercy of our God, whereby the sunrise shall visit us from on high.“
December 22: O King of the Nations – Revelation 7:9-10
After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!”
December 23: O Emmanuel – Isaiah 7:14
Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Look, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall name him Immanuel.
Check it out: Here is an excellent 8-day devotional based on this hymn from Bellweather Arts. It takes an antiphon for each day, coupling devotional thoughts with reflections on visual images. It is a resource that will excite you mind, heart, and soul as you prepare for Christ’s coming.
Many thanks to Dr. Glenn Stallsmith for permission to reproduce the above study (adapted).