Today, December 17, begins the final days of Advent, which are liturgically marked by the O Antiphons! These antiphons are ancient invocations to Christ using titles and imagery from Old Testament prophecies that foretold His coming. These prayers express the longing of Israel for their coming Messiah, and the Church still uses them today both during Vespers (Evening Prayer in the Liturgy of the Hours) and at Mass from December 17 through December 23. If you know the hymn “O Come O Come Emmanuel,” you likely recognize these antiphons!
The O Antiphon for December 17: O Wisdom (O Sapientia). This Antiphon reminds us that Christ is the Wisdom of God that was present before the beginnings of Creation and which took on flesh to save us.
Learn more about the O Antiphons: http://www.simplycatholic.com/what-are-the-o-antiphons
