Advent Devotional
The Great “O” Antiphons
This week we join the ancient church in praying the seven “Great O Antiphons” of Advent.
Each of these ancient prayers focus on one of the Old Testament titles of the Messiah and each petition Him to come!
December 17: O Wisdom, proceeding from the mouth of the Most High, pervading and permeating all creation, mightily ordering all things: Come and teach us the way of prudence.
December 18: O Adonai and ruler of the house of Israel, who appeared to Moses in the burning bush and gave him the Law on Sinai: Come with an outstretched arm and re-deem us.
December 19: O Root of Jesse, standing as an ensign before the peoples, before whom all kings are mute, to whom the nations will do homage: Come quickly to de-liver us.
December 20: O Key of David and scepter of the house of Israel, You open and no one can close, You close and no one can | open: Come and rescue the prisoners who are in darkness and the shad-ow of death.
December 21: O Dayspring, splendor of light ever-lasting: Come and enlighten those who sit in darkness and in the shad-ow of death.
December 22: O King of the nations, the ruler they long for, the cornerstone uniting all people: Come and save us all, whom You formed out of clay.
December 23: O Emmanuel, our king and our Lord, the anointed for the nations and their Savior:*Come and save us, O Lord our God.
The translation of the antiphons are from the Lutheran Service Book (LSB) which accompanies Hymn 357, O Come, O Come Emmanuel
Here are the stanzas and a link to the hymn … O Come, O Come Emmanuel.
1 O come, O come, Emmanuel,
and ransom captive Israel
that mourns in lonely exile here
until the Son of God appear.
Refrain:
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
shall come to you, O Israel.
2 O come, Thou Wisdom from on high,
who ord’rest all things mightily;
to us the path of knowledge show
and teach us in her ways to go. Refrain
3 O come, O come, Thou Lord of might,
who to Thy tribes on Sinai’s height
in ancient times didst give the Law
in cloud and majesty and awe. Refrain
4 O come, Thou Branch of Jesse’s tree,
Free them from Satan’s tyranny!
That trust Thy mighty pow’r to save.
And give them vict’ry o’er the grave. Refrain
5 O come, Thou Key of David, come
and open wide our heavenly home.
Make safe the way that leads on high,
and close the path to misery. Refrain
6 O come, Thou Dayspring from on high,
and cheer us by Thy drawing nigh;
Disperse the gloomy clouds of night
and death’s dark shadows put to flight. Refrain
7 O come, Desire of nations, bind
in one the hearts of all mankind.
Bid Thou our sad divisions cease
and be Thyself our King of Peace. Refrain
If you would like to add a devotional structure to your (or your family’s) daily Advent reading, you can use the following format:
Light the Advent Candle
Make the Sign of the Cross and Say:
In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
Pray Luther’s Morning Prayer
I thank Thee, my Heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Thy dear Son, that Thou hast kept me this night from all harm and danger; and I pray Thee to keep me this day also from sin and all evil, that all my doings and life may please Thee. For into Thy hands I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let Thy holy angel be with me, that the Wicked Foe may have no power over me. Amen.
Say the Apostle’s Creed
I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth.
And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried. He descended into hell. The third day He rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God, the Father Almighty. From thence He will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
The O Antiphon
O Key of David and scepter of the house of Israel, You open and no one can close, You close and no one can | open: Come and rescue the prisoners who are in darkness and the shadow of death.
Pray the Lord’s Prayer
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen.
Pray Luther’s Evening Prayer
I thank Thee, my Heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Thy dear Son, that Thou hast graciously kept me this day, and I pray Thee to forgive me all my sins, where I have done wrong, and graciously keep me this night. For into Thy hands I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let Thy holy angel be with me, that the Wicked Foe may have no power over me. Amen.
(Luther’s Evening and Morning Prayers are taken from The Book of Concord, Triglotta, Small Catechism)
Other Resources
Here’s a list of links to help you navigate through past videos or other digital resources:
- paulwarndt.com
- new ekklesia site (video resources in a “netflix” format)
- “eXPlain it” portal (digital resources in curriculum format)
Come Lord Jesus!
Paul
