Advent names God
From at least the eighth century,
the antiphon before and after the Magnificat at Vespers (Evening Prayer),
for the seven days leading up to Christmas Eve,
has greeted Christ with a title starting with 'O'.
The initials, when read backwards,
form the Latin "Ero Cras" which means,
"Tomorrow I come."
the antiphon before and after the Magnificat at Vespers (Evening Prayer),
for the seven days leading up to Christmas Eve,
has greeted Christ with a title starting with 'O'.
The initials, when read backwards,
form the Latin "Ero Cras" which means,
"Tomorrow I come."
O Sapentia O Wisdom
O wisdom,
coming forth from the Most High,
filling all creation
and reigning to the ends of the earth;
come and teach us
the way of truth.
Amen.
Come, Lord Jesus.
O Adonai O Lord of Might
O Lord of Lords,
and ruler of the house of Israel,
you appeared to Moses in the fire of the burning bush,
and gave him the law on Sinai:
come with your outstretched arm and ransom us.
Amen.
Come, Lord Jesus.
O Radix Jesse O Root of Jesse
O root of Jesse,
standing as a sign among the nations;
kings will keep silence before you for whom the nations long;
come and save us
and delay no longer.
Amen.
Come, Lord Jesus.
O Clavis O Key of David
O key of David
and sceptre of the House of Israel;
you open and none can shut;
you shut and none can open:
come and free the captives from prison,
and break down the walls of death.
Amen.
Come, Lord Jesus.
O Oriens O Dawn
O morning star,
splendour of the light eternal and bright sun of righteousness:
come and bring light to those who dwell in darkness
and walk in the shadow of death.
Amen.
Come, Lord Jesus.
O Rex Gentium
O king of the nations,
you alone can fulfil their desires:
cornerstone,
binding all together:
come and save the creature
you fashioned from the dust of the earth.
Amen.
Come, Lord Jesus.
O Emmanuel
O Emmanuel,
our King and Lawgiver,
hope of the nations and their saviour:
come and save us,
O Lord our God.
Amen.
Come, Lord Jesus.
