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The Great "O" Antiphons
 The Song of Mary:
My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,
and my spirit rejoices in you, O God my Savior,
for you have looked with favor on your lowly servant.
From this day all generations will call me blessed;
you the Almighty have done great things for me,
and holy is your name.
You have mercy on those who fear you
in every generation.
You have shown the strength of your arm,
you have scattered the proud in their conceit.
You have cast down the mighty from their thrones,
and lifted up the lowly.
You have filled the hungry with good things,
but the rich you have sent away empty.
You have come to the help of your servant Israel,
for you have remembered your promise of mercy,
the promise made to our forebears,
to Abraham and his children forever.		 These antiphons are sung before and after the Magnificat (the Song of Mary, see left) during Vespers in the Octave (the eight days) before Christmas.
December 16 (17):
decorated capital OWisdom, you came out of the mouth of the Most High, and reach from one end to the other, mightily and sweetly ordering all things: come and teach us the way of prudence.
December 17 (18):
decorated capital OAdonai, and leader of the house of Israel, you appeared in the bush to Moses in a flame of fire, and gave him the law on Sinai: come and redeem us with an outstretched arm.
December 18 (19):
decorated capital ORoot of Jesse, you stand for an ensign of the people; before you kings will shut their mouths and for you the Gentiles will seek: come and deliver us, and do not tarry.
December 19 (20):
decorated capital OKey of David and Scepter of the house of Israel; you open and no one can close, you close and no one can open: come and bring the prisoners out of the prison, those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death.
December 20 (21):
decorated capital ODayspring, Brightness of the light everlasting, and Sun of righteousness: come and enlighten those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death.
December 21 (22):
decorated capital OKing of Nations, and their desire,the Cornerstone, uniting both in one: come and save mankind, whom you formed out of clay.
December 22 (23):
decorated capital OEmmanuel, our King and Lawgiver, the desire of all nations and their salvation: come and save us, O Lord our God.
Note: This antiphon is a later addition; when it is not used, the antiphons begin on Dec. 17. December 23 (n/a):
decorated capital OVirgin of Virgins, how shall this be? For neither before you was there any seen like you, nor shall there be after. Daughters of Jerusalem, why do you marvel at me? The thing which you behold is a divine mystery.
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