O Wisdom

These last days of Advent (also known as the Octave before Christmas) mark the beginning of the great "O" Antiphons. Familiarized by the popular Advent hymn, "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel," these antiphons refer to the seven antiphons recited (or chanted) preceding the Magnificat during Vespers of the Liturgy of the Hours, which form a series of invocations, each beginning with "O." Each of these seven antiphons refer to a title of Christ the Messiah. The Lectionary for Mass also offers these texts as alternatives for the Gospel acclamation verse for each of these final days of Advent.

If you remove the "O" that begins each antiphon and list them starting from the last night (December 23rd) and make your way towards the first night (December 17th), you get:

Emmanuel, Rex, Oriens, Clavis, Radix, Adonai, Sapientia.

Taking the first letter of each antiphon as listed above, you get the Latin sentence "ero cras" which roughly translates "Tomorrow I come." These antiphons not only remind us of the tree that has not yet been decorated, the Christmas cards still needing to be written, or the hopefully final run to the mall for last-minute gift shopping, but it also reminds us that these last few days are a time to rejoice, because of the coming of Christ, the Messiah!

Interested in joining me, as I go out into the cold and rain for the next seven nights to make the Simbang Gabi novena at St. Edward Church to prepare for Christmas? If not, here's a joy-filled way to pray a Christmas novena with the great "O Antiphons," courtesy of St. James Cathedral's website. 
Best part is that you won't have to leave your living room!