+Follower of the Coetivy Master, Initial O From a Book of Hours French (Loire Region), c. 1470-1480 New York, Pierpont Morgan Library MS G1.II, fol. 232v |
In the week before Christmas, the Liturgy of the Hours (the official daily prayer of the Church) includes a series of special antiphons that precede the recitation of the Magnificat (Luke 1: 46-55) during Evening Prayer that are collectively called the O Antiphons. In the English-speaking world most Christians are familiar with them as they are paraphrased in the verses of the well-known Advent hymn "O Come, O Come Emmanuel", which is a free translation of the medieval Latin text.
The O Antiphons refer to Christ under eight different titles. These titles connect certain events or ideas from the Old Testament that are understood to forecast different aspects of Jesus and the salvation He came to give.
To see the images these titles reflect, click on the title of the antiphon below:
December 17 -- O Wisdom, O Holy Word of God!
December 18 -- O Sacred Lord of Ancient Israel!
December 19 -- O Flower of Jesse's Stem!
December 20 -- O, Key of David! Come, break down the walls of death!
December 21 -- O Radiant Dawn! O Sun of Justice!
December 22 -- O King of All the Nations!
December 23 -- O Emmanuel! Savior of all people, come and set us free!
In recent years a revival of lay interest in the Liturgy of the Hours has brought more awareness of these special texts.
Here is a video of Ely Cathedral Women's Choir singing the traditional English version of "Veni, Veni, Emmanuel".
© M. Duffy, 2017
+ Image updated 2024.
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