The O Antiphons

The O Antiphons are traditionally used during the last seven days of Advent, of which this is the second. Each of the antiphons is a name of Christ, one of his attributes as mentioned in Scripture. Today's is O Adonai, or O Lord. In English:

O Adonai, and leader of the House of Israel,
who appeared to Moses in the fire of the burning bush
and gave him the law on Sinai:
Come and redeem us with an outstretched arm.

Here it is chanted in Latin:

I find these kinds of chants peaceful, and have several on my Spotify Christmas playlist. Christmas isn't all about the hustle and bustle and decoration and secular Christmas songs. For those of us who celebrate the birth of Christ at this time of year there are religious traditions, too, even if we've let some of those drop out of our practice over time. If you'd like to add these to your Advent devotions on these days, here are the English words and the dates they're attached to:

December 17: O Sapientia (O Wisdom)

O Wisdom, coming forth from the mouth of the Most High,
reaching from one end to the other,
mightily and sweetly ordering all things:
Come and teach us the way of prudence.

December 18: O Adonai (O Lord)

O Adonai, and leader of the House of Israel,
who appeared to Moses in the fire of the burning bush
and gave him the law on Sinai:
Come and redeem us with an outstretched arm.

December 19: O Radix Jesse (O Root of Jesse)

O Root of Jesse, standing as a sign among the peoples;
before you kings will shut their mouths,
to you the nations will make their prayer:
Come and deliver us, and delay no longer.

December 20: O Clavis David (O Key of David)

O Key of David and sceptre of the House of Israel;
you open and no one can shut;
you shut and no one can open:
Come and lead the prisoners from the prison house,
those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death.

December 21: O Oriens (O Dayspring)

O Morning Star,
splendour of light eternal and sun of righteousness:
Come and enlighten those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death.

December 22: O Rex Gentium (O King of the Nations)

O King of the nations, and their desire,
the cornerstone making both one:
Come and save the human race,
which you fashioned from clay.

December 23: O Emmanuel (O With Us is God)

O Emmanuel, our king and our lawgiver,
the hope of the nations and their Saviour:
Come and save us, O Lord our God.

If this isn't your cup of tea -and let's be honest, it's not everybody's cup of tea- I offer you, yes, you guessed it:

a cup of tea. Enjoy your winter celebration, whatever your focus during these days. Please join me at this week's T Stands for Tuesday blogger gathering where we share posts that include a drink.