Antiphons are sentences from scripture that are sung or recited. Some sentences from scripture that have come to be known as the "O Antiphons" are part of the Catholic tradition. These sentences are recited the seven days preceding Christmas Eve, Dec. 17-23. What is special about these sentences is that each one is a title for the coming Messiah. They are, O Sapientia (O Wisdom), O Adonai (O Lord), O Radix Jesse (O Root of Jesse), O Clavis David (O Key of David), O Oriens (O Rising Sun), O Rex Gentium (O King of the Nations), and O Emmanuel. Each one is explained in depth on this site.
This year we will be spending some time during these seven days reflecting on these titles that appeared in the prophecy of Isaiah. We might add some fun to it by having some O Antiphon coins that I linked to in my previous post. We may also use this booklet.
Perhaps you'd like to do the same or maybe you already do. There are also printable ornaments that are part of a Jesse Tree set here and more activities here. You can hear them chanted in Latin here. I'd love to hear about the traditions you use during this season to teach and remember.
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