CNA—“O come, O come, Emmanuel, and ransom captive Israel, that mourns in lonely exile here until the Son of God appear. Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to you, O Israel!” This favored Christmas carol is no carol at all. It’s a hymn for the season of Advent — the liturgical season that is about so…
CNA—The O Antiphons are prayers that are recited or chanted in an ancient tradition leading up to Christmas Day. What is the hidden meaning of the O Antiphons? “Composed in the sixth or seventh century, the seven O Antiphons are drawn from the Book of the prophet Isaiah and the first letters of each antiphon…
Each day from Dec. 17 through Christmas, the Catholic Business Journal will post the “O Antiphon” for that day. Below is the first of these antiphons, followed by a wonderful article by Fr. Juan Diego of the Norbertines. Enjoy! —ed. O ANTIPHON — December 17: O Sapientia, quae ex ore Altissimi provsti, attingens a fine…
“Gazing afar off, behold I see the power of God coming, and a cloud covering all the land. Go out to meet him and say: tell me if you are the one who is to reign over the people Israel.” So sounds the cry of the world before Christ, a cry placed on the lips…
