Every year from December 17 to 23, an ancient tradition quietly unfolds in the Catholic Church's evening prayer. By December 17, both the Church and her children are growing impatient for Christmas. This holy impatience finds expression in seven beautiful antiphons that call on Christ to come, and to come quickly. These are the O Antiphons, a set of ancient prayers sung during Vespers (Evening Prayer) on the last seven nights of Advent. Each one is a heartfelt plea for the Messiah to hurry, tapping into the same eager hope we feel as Christmas draws near.

What Are the O Antiphons?

The O Antiphons are short chants that have been part of Advent for over a millennium. They're called "O" Antiphons simply because each one begins with the exclamation "O," followed by a noble title of the Messiah drawn from Old Testament prophecy. In the Church's liturgy, one O Antiphon is sung before and after the Magnificat at Vespers each evening from December 17 through 23, and the same text appears as the Alleluia verse at Mass that day.

Each of the seven antiphons addresses Christ by a different Old Testament name, rich in meaning and symbolism. These titles link the coming of Jesus to the ancient hopes of Israel. The seven O Antiphons in Latin (and their English meanings) are:

1. O Sapientia (O Wisdom) hails Christ as the wisdom of God, present at creation and guiding all things.
2. O Adonai (O Lord) references the sacred Lord who appeared to Moses, hinting that Jesus is the divine Lawgiver come in person.
3. O Radix Jesse (O Root of Jesse) recalls the prophecy from Isaiah that a shoot shall sprout from the stump of Jesse's lineage (Isaiah 11:1), identifying Jesus as that new shoot from David's family line.
4. O Clavis David (O Key of David) names Christ as the key-holder of David's kingdom, the one who can open what no one can shut. In other words, the promised king who unlocks our freedom.
5. O Oriens (O Radiant Dawn) greets Jesus as the Dayspring, the rising Sun of Justice who brings light to those in darkness (a reference to Isaiah 9:2).
6. O Rex Gentium (O King of the Nations) proclaims Christ the King foretold to unite and rule all peoples in peace.
7. O Emmanuel directly means "God with us," the ultimate name of Christ from Isaiah 7:14, signaling that God will be present with His people.

Put together in the order the antiphons are sung, these seven names paint a profound portrait of who the newborn Jesus is: Wisdom of God, Lord of Might, Root of Jesse, Key of David, Dawn of the East, King of all nations, and God-with-us. Each night, the Church focuses on one facet of Jesus' identity and the salvation He brings.

The Hidden Message: "ERO CRAS"

A hidden message is woven into the O Antiphons. Early Christians arranged these antiphons in a deliberate sequence. If you take the first letter of each Latin title in reverse order (starting with Emmanuel on December 23 and ending with Sapientia on December 17), the letters spell ERO CRAS. This is Latin for "Tomorrow, I will come."

It's as if Christ himself whispers an answer to the prayers. We spend seven nights calling out "Come, Lord Jesus," and in this acrostic we hear Him respond: "Tomorrow I come." This subtle detail, probably added by monks over a thousand years ago, sends a little thrill of hope, a reassurance that by Christmas Eve, our longing will be fulfilled. No wonder these last days of Advent are sometimes called the "Golden Nights," a time when expectation is at its peak.

The Connection to "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel"

You may already be familiar with the O Antiphons, without realizing it. The beloved Advent hymn "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel" is essentially the O Antiphons in musical form. Each verse of that song is a poetic paraphrase of one of the antiphons. When you sing "O come, Thou Wisdom from on high…" or "O come, Thou Key of David, come…", you're echoing the ancient prayers of December 17 and 20.

The hymn's verses match the antiphons so closely that singing all the verses of "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel" is like praying the O Antiphons in English. Generations of Catholics have been unknowingly humming these prayers in Advent, which shows how deeply the O Antiphons have permeated our preparation for Christmas. So even if the term "O Antiphon" sounds unfamiliar, the spirit of these prayers is already in your heart and on your lips each Advent.

Bringing the O Antiphons Home

How can you bring this beautiful countdown to life for your family? The O Antiphons may be an ancient monastic tradition, but they're also very accessible: short, Scripture-rich, and full of imagery that even children can appreciate. With a little intention, these seven nights can become a treasured family ritual. Here are some practical, family-friendly ways to celebrate the O Antiphons in your home.

Pray Together Each Evening

From December 17 through 23, set aside a moment each night to pray the day's O Antiphon together. Many families choose to do this before dinner or at the lighting of the Advent wreath in the evening. As you gather at the table, you might light that day's Advent candle and recite the antiphon. It's a simple one or two-sentence prayer, so even wiggly little ones can participate.

Day by day, this little ritual builds a holy anticipation far richer than opening a cardboard Advent calendar window. By the time you reach the final "O Emmanuel," you'll have a week's worth of shared prayer leading you right to Christmas Eve.

Light a Candle for Each Antiphon

To visually mark the countdown, consider lighting a special candle each night from December 17 to 23 as you pray. You might start with one candle on the 17th, then light two on the 18th, and so on, until seven candles shine on December 23. Perhaps you can use your Advent wreath candles for four of the nights and add extra candles (even simple tea-lights) for the other three days.

The growing glow is a powerful symbol: with each passing day, the light increases as the coming of the Light of the World draws nearer. Children love watching the progression of light. It turns the abstract idea of "Jesus is almost here" into something they can see. By the final evening, the room is bright with seven candles, a little foretaste of the joyous light of Christmas that is about to burst forth.

Get Creative with Symbols and Art

Each O Antiphon comes with rich biblical symbols, which provide a great opportunity to involve kids through art. You can draw or print simple symbols that correspond to the titles of Christ, and let the children decorate them. For O Sapientia (O Wisdom), a child might draw a lamp or an open book to represent divine wisdom. For O Adonai (O Lord), perhaps a burning bush or stone tablets. O Radix Jesse (O Root of Jesse) could be a tree stump with a fresh green shoot or a blooming flower. O Clavis David (O Key of David) is perfectly symbolized by a key. O Oriens (O Radiant Dawn) inspires drawings of a rising sun or bright star. O Rex Gentium (O King of the Nations) might be a simple crown. And for O Emmanuel, a great symbol is a manger or the Holy Family.

Hang each day's artwork in your family prayer corner or on the fridge. As the week progresses, your home will fill with these visual reminders of who Jesus is. This activity not only keeps little hands busy, but it also helps young hearts connect the prophecies to the Christmas story in a tangible way.

Use Your Family Prayer Books or Cards

If you have a family Advent prayer book, a missal, or even an app that you use for daily prayers, check the entries for December 17 to 23. You'll likely find the O Antiphons featured there. Take advantage of those resources by incorporating the antiphon into your normal prayer time. There are also printable prayer sheets and prayer cards available that list all seven antiphons; having those on hand at the dinner table can be very convenient.

Each night, a different family member could read the antiphon from the card. Even children who are just learning to read can take a turn with a little help. This gives them a sense of ownership and excitement. Connecting the O Antiphons with your existing family prayer routine reinforces that these old prayers aren't something separate or foreign; they naturally belong in our personal devotion.

Sing the Antiphons as a Hymn

Music is a powerful teacher. Since the hymn "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel" is based on the O Antiphons, consider singing one verse of that song each night after you pray the antiphon. If your kids already know the tune, this will quickly become a favorite part of the routine. For example, on December 19, after praying "O Radix Jesse," you could all sing the verse "O come, O Rod of Jesse's stem…" together.

Many families find this helps everyone remember the antiphons more easily. The melody and repetition make the ancient words stick in your mind. By week's end, you'll have sung the entire hymn and effectively prayed the O Antiphons twice over. Ending each night with music also keeps the atmosphere joyful and calm, preparing hearts to receive the joy of Christmas.

Resources for Your Advent Journey

As you prepare to celebrate the O Antiphons with your family, having the right materials makes the tradition easier to maintain. A beautiful Advent wreath with quality candles becomes the natural gathering place for those seven special nights, with the light growing as Christmas draws near. Advent devotional books help children understand the ancient prophecies through daily stories and reflections, while faith-filled crafts and prayer cards bring abstract theology to life. A child who colors the symbol for O Oriens while you explain how Jesus brings light will remember that lesson.

Whether you're starting the O Antiphons for the first time or deepening an existing tradition, St. Patrick's Guild has been serving Catholic families since 1949. As a family-owned business with over 75 years of experience, we understand how quality devotional items support your family's religious life. The Advent resources you choose today become part of your family's story, pulled out each December with the same anticipation as beloved Christmas decorations. May this ancient Advent countdown bring new joy to your family this year. As you light candles, sing carols, and call out "O Come, Emmanuel," remember that Christ hears those prayers. By Christmas morning, you'll rejoice together that the promise has been fulfilled in the birth of Jesus, God-with-us, the answer to every hopeful heart.