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O Come, O Come, Emmanuel

Finish Advent strong... with the "O" Antiphons

"O" Antiphons Resources: O Antiphon cards & music (small) USCCB's one page summary O Antiphons chart - daily antiphon, Alleluia Verse, music & Scripture verses in one page! O Antiphon prayer table cards

It's hard to believe we're over halfway through Advent. With all the hustle and bustle this time of year, it's easy to lose our focus and forget what Advent is all about...preparing for the coming of the Savior!! Thankfully, the Church in her beautiful wisdom has just what we need to get back on track and finish this Advent strong...with our focus on Christ! So if your original plan for Advent didn't go as expected (what did in 2020?), there are still 10 days left! On Thursday, December 17 the Church begins the final days of Advent. And on each of these days (Dec 17-23) her liturgical prayer begins to focus on the dual nature of Jesus' birth and his coming at the end of time. Each day, in the prayer of the Church known as the Liturgy of the Hours, a special antiphon is proclaimed during evening prayer, just before the offering of the Magnificat, the canticle of the Blessed Virgin Mary ("My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord..."). These antiphons ask Jesus to come and call Him by a different name each night. Because they are part of evening prayer, there is not one for December 24th because the evening on Christmas Eve is already the vigil of Christmas, so we are no longer waiting! Though not actual scripture verses, they are inspired by many images from the Old Testament. You're probably already familiar with the texts of these antiphons as they are part of the popular Advent hymn, "O Come, 0 Come, Emmanuel".

Praying with the "O" Antiphons While the "O Antiphons" are part of the Liturgy of the Hours (specifically Evening Prayer), you can easily incorporate each day's antiphon into your own family prayer. It could be as simple or elaborate as you want. The most important part is that you set aside time to read and reflect on the words each day. And if you miss a day, just pick it back up the next day. Suggestions for Praying the "O" Antiphons. On or before December 17, establish a time when you will focus on the antiphon for each day. What works best for your family? First thing in the morning? At lunch? Right after school? At dinner, after lighting the candles on the Advent wreath? At family prayer time before bed? Set a reminder in your phone as a to call prayer. Make a plan (there's no wrong way to pray them). Maybe you'd like to be begin with: An Our Father Singing the verse from "O Come, O Come Emmanuel" that fits that day's antiphon. Read one or two of the related Scripture passages. Maybe you'd like to print "O" Antiphon cards for your prayer table Maybe you'd like to make "O" Antiphon ornaments and add them to your Christmas tree each night after praying them. Maybe you'd like to create your own guide. The "O" Antiphons are: Dec 17: O Sapientia ( O Wisdom) see Isaiah 11:2–3; 28:29 Dec 18: O Adonai (O Lord and Ruler) see Isaiah 11:4–5; 33:22 Dec 19: O Radix Jesse (O Root of Jesse) see Isaiah 1:1; 11:10 Dec 20: O Clavis David (O Key of David) see Isaiah 9:6; 22:22 Dec 21: O Oriens (O Dawn of the East) see Isaiah 9:1 Dec 22: O Rex Gentium (O King of the Nations) see Isaiah 9:5; 2:4 Dec 23: O Emmanuel (O God With Us) see Isaiah 7:14 The names and titles in the antiphons can be reversed to spell the Latin words “ERO CRAS,” which translates “tomorrow, I will come.” What a fitting way to remind us of the Lord’s coming in Christmas!

Star Gazing Mark your calendar for December 21st - right after sunset. Jupiter and Saturn will come within 0.1 degrees of each other forming the first visible "double planet" in 800 years. Alignments between these two planets are pretty rare - occurring only every twenty years, but this one is exceptionally rare because of how close they will appear. It's said that the last time they were this close was 1623 but it hasn't been observable since 1226. While this rare phenomenon is being dubbed "The Christmas Star", the Vatican astronomer, Br. Guy Consolmagno, has said "it is impossible to know for sure if it has any connection the the Star of Bethlehem." Astronomers once thought the bright combination of the two planets coming together resembled the Star of Bethlehem that guided the Magi to Jesus. Even if it has no connection, it's still a once in a lifetime opportunity to see it. It will be pretty, so go outside and marvel at God's beautiful creation! And ponder what it might have looked like when Christ was born.

Advent Resources Adapted Resources for Children with Special Needs Advent Activities for Families More Advent Ideas for Families FORMED Advent Resources - take advantage of your parish's subscription to Formed. Mary on the Mantel Saints of Advent - learn about the saints we celebrate during Advent.

Advent Music There's nothing better than music for the season! Here's a list of Advent songs to help get you prepared for the coming of our Lord. (A Christmas playlist will come later...first we prepare for His coming.) “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” “O Come, Divine Messiah” “Creator of the Stars of Night” “Comfort, Comfort Ye My People” “Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus” “Rorate Caeli”

Advent Prayer for Families Heavenly Father, your son, Jesus, is your greatest gift to us, a great sign of your love. Guide us as we strive to walk in that love together as a family this Advent. As we prepare our hearts for Christmas, bring us closer to each other and your son. Give us the grace and strength we need every day. Help us to always trust in you. Come, Lord Jesus, lead all people closer to you. Come and dispel the darkness of our world with the light of your love. Amen.