The O Antiphons
In the last days before Christmas, the Church gives us seven short prayers that begin with the same word. O Wisdom. O Adonai. O Root of Jesse. Each names Christ through an image drawn from Scripture, then asks him to come.
The Roman Church has sung these antiphons since at least the eighth century. Today they accompany the Magnificat, Mary’s song of praise, at Vespers from December 17 to 23.
They fit naturally in a Benedictine day. Benedict builds the monastery’s life around the Divine Office, and his Vespers includes the Gospel canticle. In the last evenings of Advent, the antiphons give that hour its focus. Work pauses. Familiar words are sung again. The community asks Christ to come into a world that still needs wisdom, freedom and light.
You can pray them at home too. Read the day’s antiphon slowly, in Latin or English. Stay with one phrase before moving on. A minute is enough.
I made this translation so these prayers are easy to read, share and use. You are free to copy and share it. Details are at the bottom of the page.
December 17
O Sapientia
Latin
O Sapientia, quae ex ore Altissimi prodiisti, attingens a fine usque ad finem, fortiter suaviterque disponens omnia: veni ad docendum nos viam prudentiae.
English
O Wisdom, who came forth from the mouth of the Most High, reaching from one end to the other and ordering all things with strength and gentleness, come and teach us the way of prudence.
Scripture Sirach 24:3, Wisdom 8:1
December 18
O Adonai
Latin
O Adonai, et Dux domus Israel, qui Moysi in igne flammae rubi apparuisti, et ei in Sina legem dedisti: veni ad redimendum nos in brachio extento.
English
O Adonai, leader 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 an outstretched arm.
Scripture Exodus 3:2, 6:6
December 19
O Radix Jesse
Latin
O radix Jesse, qui stas in signum populorum, super quem continebunt reges os suum, quem Gentes deprecabuntur: veni ad liberandum nos, jam noli tardare.
English
O Root of Jesse, you stand as a sign for the peoples. Kings will fall silent before you, and the nations will implore you. Come and free us. Delay no longer.
Scripture Isaiah 11:10, 52:15
December 20
O Clavis David
Latin
O clavis David, et sceptrum domus Israel; qui aperis, et nemo claudit; claudis, et nemo aperit: veni, et educ vinctum de domo carceris, sedentem in tenebris, et umbra mortis.
English
O Key of David and scepter of the house of Israel, you open and no one closes. You close and no one opens. Come and lead the captive out of prison, the one who sits in darkness and the shadow of death.
Scripture Isaiah 22:22, 42:7
December 21
O Oriens
Latin
O Oriens, splendor lucis aeternae, et sol justitiae: veni, et illumina sedentes in tenebris, et umbra mortis.
English
O Rising Dawn, radiance of eternal light and sun of justice, come and shine on those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death.
Scripture Malachi 3:20 (4:2 in some Bibles), Luke 1:78–79
December 22
O Rex Gentium
Latin
O Rex Gentium, et desideratus earum, lapisque angularis, qui facis utraque unum: veni, et salva hominem, quem de limo formasti.
English
O King of the nations and their desire, the cornerstone who makes both one, come and save the human race, whom you formed from clay.
Scripture Haggai 2:7, Isaiah 28:16, Ephesians 2:14, Genesis 2:7
December 23
O Emmanuel
Latin
O Emmanuel, Rex et legifer noster, exspectatio Gentium, et Salvator earum: veni ad salvandum nos Domine Deus noster.
English
O Emmanuel, our king and lawgiver, the one the nations wait for, and their Savior, come and save us, Lord our God.
Scripture Isaiah 7:14, 33:22
A few words in the prayers
Adonai is a Hebrew title meaning Lord. Oriens carries the image of rising light or dawn. In the prayer for December 22, “both one” recalls the reconciliation described in Ephesians 2, where Christ brings Jews and Gentiles together.
Read the Latin titles from last to first. Emmanuel, Rex, Oriens, Clavis, Radix, Adonai, Sapientia. Their first letters spell ero cras, “Tomorrow I will be there.” The words can be heard as Christ’s answer to the repeated prayer: come.
Sources and reuse
The Latin text follows Breviarium Romanum, Pars hiemalis et verna, Pustet, 1901, printed pages 168–169. Digitized volume. The Latin is in the public domain.
All original English material on this page, including the introduction, translation and explanatory notes, is new work for Ordinary Things, released under CC BY 4.0. You may copy, adapt and share this work, including commercially, provided you credit the source, link to the license and indicate any changes.
Please credit as:
“The O Antiphons: Latin and New English Translation” by Brian Junyor, Ordinary Things Press, 2026, https://ordinarythings.org/o-antiphons/. Licensed under CC BY 4.0. Latin text in the public domain.
Further reading
- USCCB introduction to the O Antiphons
- The Rule of Saint Benedict, chapters 17 and 43