Seven Days of Prayful Reflection and Praise

The O Antiphons, used prior to 1970 in the Catholic church, and still used in, among others, the 1962 Latin-rite Catholic, Lutheran, and Anglican churches. They are traditionally sung or recited at Vespers(evening services) from December 17 to December 23, seven days.

Each antiphon mentions Scripture which prophesizing the coming of Jesus using the various names of Christ. They are:

* December 17: O Sapientia (O Wisdom)
* December 18: O Adonai (O Lord)
* December 19: O Radix Jesse (O Root of Jesse)
* December 20: O Clavis David (O Key of David)
* December 21: O Oriens (O Dayspring)
* December 22: O Rex Gentium (O King of the nations)
* December 23: O Emmanuel (O God is with Us)

The first letters of the titles taken backwards form a Latin acrostic of "Ero Cras" which translates to "Tomorrow, I will come", mirroring the theme of the antiphons.

Today mentions the Tree of Jesse:

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, standing as a sign among the peoples;
before you kings will shut their mouths,
to you the nations will make their prayer:
Come and deliver us, and delay no longer.

Isaiah had prophesied:

•  "A shoot shall come out from the stock of Jesse, and a branch shall grow out of his roots." Isaiah 11:1
•  "On that day the root of Jesse shall stand as a signal to the peoples; the nations shall inquire of him, and his dwelling shall be glorious." Isaiah 11:10

Jesse was the father of King David, and Micah had prophesied that the Messiah would be of the house and lineage of David and be born in David’s city, Bethlehem (Micah 5:2). Also compare Isaiah 45:14, Isaiah 52:15 and Romans 15:12.

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