Just to read these "O Antiphons" each day would be a wonderful part of any Catholic's preparation for Christmas!
The following great Antiphons are said entire before and after the Magnificat, from the 17th to the 23rd of December, inclusive. If the Vespers are of a first or second class double, the great Antiphon is said after the prayer of the feast, for the commemoration of Advent.
Antiphon for the 17th of December.
O SAPIENTIA, quae ex ore Altissimi prodiisti, attingens a fine usque ad finern., fartiter suaviterquc disponens omnia: veni ad docendum nos viam prudentiae.
O WISDOM that comest out of the mouth of the Most High, that reachest from one end to another,
and dost mightily and sweetly order all things: come to teach us the way of prudence!
Antiphon for the 18th of December.
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.
O ADONAI, and Ruler of the house of Israel, who didst appear unto Moses in the burning bush, and
gavest him the law in Sinai: come to redeem us with an outstretched arm!
Antiphon for the 19th of December.
O RADIX Jesse, qui stas in signum populorum, super quem contine bunt regc:s os Silum, quem Gentes deprccabuntur: veni ad libcrandum nos, jam noli tardare.
O ROOT of Jesse, which slandest for an ensign of the people, at whom the kings shall shut their
mouths, whom the Gentiles shall seek: come to deliver us, make no tarrying.
Antiphon for the 20th of December.
O CLAVIS David, et sceptrum domus Israel; qui aperis, et nerno claudit; claudis, ot nerno aperit; veni, et cduc vinctum de domo carceris, sedcntem in tenebris, ot umbra mortis.
O KEY of David, and Sceptre of the house of Israel; that openest and no man shutteth; and shuttest and no man openeth: come to bring out the prisoner from the prison, and them that sit in
darkness, and in the shadow of death.
Antiphon for the 21st of December.
O ORIENS, splendor lucis aetemae, et sol justitiae: veni, et illumina sedentes is tenebris, et umbra mortis.
O DAYSPRING, Brightness of the everlasting light, Sun of Justice, come to give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death!
Antiphon for the 22d of December.
O REX Gentium, et desideratus carum, lapisquc angularis, qui facis utraque unum: veni, et salva hominem, quem de limo formasti.
O KING of the Gentiles, yea, and desire thereof; O Corner-stone, that makest of two one: come to save man, whom Thou hast made of the dust of the earth!
Antiphon for the 23d of December.
O EMMANUEL, Rex et legifer nosler, exspectatio Genlium, ot Salvator carum: veni ad salvandum nos, Domine, Deus noster.
O EMMANUEL, our King and our Lawgiver, Longing of the Gentiies; yea, and salvation thereof: come to save us, 0 Lord our God!