O antiphons

print: Ade Bethune

The early medieval "O antiphons" were sung at Vespers, one each day, during the last week of Advent.    Each antiphon is a name of an aspect of God.  Wisdom, Lord, Root of Jesse, Key of David, East (more poetically "Dayspring"), King of nations, God with us. The letters of the names spell out ero cras, "Tomorrow I will come."

They're now most commonly known as the Advent hymn "O Come, O Come Emmanuel."  The tune now feels strangely dismal for a season of hope, but that's how they rolled in the sixth century.  My favorite verse:

O come, thou wisdom from on high
and order all things far and nigh;
To us the path of knowledge show
and cause us in her ways to go.
Rejoice! Rejoice!
Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.