O Come, O Come, O Antiphons

Sherry Hayes-Peirce explains how today's families can use an age-old devotion to prepare their hearts for Christmas.

Sometimes the commercialism of Christmas weighs us down with tasks and saps our time, as many are focused on deadlines to shop for Christmas gifts, send Christmas cards, or prepare our homes for Christmas parties. To moms who are typically busy doing so much for others, let me offer the instruction flight attendants provide on flights: If there is a change in air pressure, oxygen masks will drop from above you. Be sure to affix your mask FIRST before giving aid to others. The change in air pressure could serve as a metaphor for “anxiety, stress, or just overwhelm.” Prayer is the metaphor for oxygen that you need to use to survive the change in pressure.  

The O Antiphons: A Devotion for the Final Days of Advent 

If you have been focused on commercialism through the past three weeks of Advent, now is the time to settle into the final week with a focus of anticipation of our Lord coming into your hearts. In our Catholic tradition we pray the O Antiphons in the evening leading up to Christmas. I normally turn on the Christmas lights and light the candles on my Advent wreath and settle into my comfy chair to focus on the antiphon of the day. It is a time to really feel my heart and soul connecting with Christ.  

There are a number of resources that share these beautiful and soothing chants. The Hallow app shares the O Antiphons chanted in Latin with a translation of the meaning in the language you speak. YouTube offers a number of videos where the Antiphons are sung in Latin with closed caption in English.

There is also a simple list offered via the USCCB of each day's antiphon.

Meditate on the O Antiphons This Advent

Meditate on the meaning of these holy, hope-filled prayers, listed below with a prayer prompt from me. 

December 17: O Sapientia (Wisdom) 

Pray for God’s Wisdom in helping you discern for his will in your daily life, as new year dawns. 

“O Wisdom of our God Most High, guiding creation with power and love, come to teach us the path of knowledge!” 

December 18: O Adonai (Lord) 

Pray for the leaders in our parishes, diocese and our Holy Father, Pope Leo XIV 

“O Leader of the House of Israel, giver of the Law to Moses on Sinai, come to rescue us with your mighty power!” 

December 19: O Radix Jesse (Root of Jesse) 

Pray for an end to wars in our world, sparked by racial division. 

"O Root of Jesse’s stem, sign of God’s love for all His people, come to save us without delay!"  

December 20: O Clavis David (Key of David) 

Pray for the many people imprisoned in detention centers and the many souls lost in war. 

"O Key of David, opening the gates of God’s eternal Kingdom, come and free the prisoners of darkness!" 

December 21: O Oriens (Radiant Dawn) 

Pray for those who are in the darkness of mental illness or other medical challenges. 

"O Radiant Dawn, splendor of eternal light, sun of justice, come and shine on those who dwell in darkness and in the shadow of death!"

December 22: O Rex Gentium (King of Nations) 

Pray for leaders of nations to work together to help warring nations find peace. 

"O King of all nations and keystone of the Church, come and save man, whom you formed from the dust!" 

December 23: O Emmanuel (God With Us) 

Be still, know that God is with you, and ask Him to shield you from adversity. 

"O Emmanuel, our King and Giver of Law, come to save us, Lord our God!" 

May this simple prayer practice help you create a new tradition for you and your family this year, sparking a new activity of praying around the Christmas tree. Save the dates to join in this ancient practice and prepare the way of the Lord in your heart!

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Copyright 2025 Sherry Hayes-Peirce
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