Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel!

One of my favorite Christmas Carols is O Come O Come Emmanuel. The verses, based on scripture describe the hope for which Israel waited the coming of the Messiah and which we share in the celebration of Advent.

The monks of the Early Church, and still today, sing at Vespers the song of Mary in Luke’s Gospel My soul magnifies the Lord. The antiphon that would be sung with it varies with the season and day. The antiphons for 17th to the 23d of December date from at least the 9th Century and were at some point collected in to a single hymn, Thomas Aquinas is reputed to have provided a Gregorian chant setting for them. In the 19th Century they were set to a French folk tune and given the Chorus.

The Antiphons

December 17

O WISDOM, who came from the mouth of the Most High, reaching from end to end and ordering all things mightily and sweetly: COME, and teach us the way of prudence. Amen. "O Sapientia..."

O Wisdom: Proverbs 1:20; 8; 9 and I Corinthians 1:30


December 18

O LORD AND RULER of the House of Israel, who appeared to Moses in the flame of the burning bush and gave him the law on Sinai: COME, and redeem us with outstretched arms. Amen. "O Adonai..."

O Lord and Ruler of the House of Israel: Exodus 3; Micah 5:2; Matthew 2:6


December 19

O ROOT OF JESSE, that stands for an ensign of the people, before whom the kings keep silence and unto whom the Gentiles shall make supplication: COME, to deliver us, and tarry not. Amen. "O Radix Jesse..."

O Root of Jesse: Isaiah 11:10; Romans 15:12; Revelation 5:5


December 20

O KEY OF DAVID, and Sceptre of the House of Israel, who opens and no man shuts, who shuts and no man opens: COME, and bring forth the captive from his prison, he who sits in darkness and in the shadow of death. Amen. "O Clavis David..."

O Key of David: Isaiah 22:22; Revelation 3:7


December 21

O DAWN OF THE EAST, brightness of light eternal, and Sun of Justice: COME, and enlighten those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death. Amen. "O Oriens..."

O Dawn of the East (Dayspring): Luke 1:78, 79; Malachi 4:2


December 22

O KING OF THE GENTILES and their desired One, the Cornerstone that makes both one: COME, and deliver man, whom you formed out of the dust of the earth. Amen. "O Rex..."

O King of the Gentiles (Nations): Revelation 15:3; Psalm 118:22; Isaiah 28:16; Matthew 21:42; Mark 12:10; Luke 20:17; Acts 4:11; Ephesians 2:20; I Peter 2:6


December 23

O EMMANUEL, God with us, Our King and Lawgiver, the expected of the nations and their Saviour: COME to save us, O Lord our God. Amen. "O Emmanuel..."
O Emmanuel: Isaiah 7:14; 8:8; Matthew 1:23; Haggai 2:7 (KJV)


Turn up your speakers and Enjoy





Thanks to Dymphna of The Neighborhood of God for the inspiration.

Update 08/12/2007: the old audio clip died so I added the UTUBE.