Dec. 24 Day 9 Solemn Christmas Novena–VENI VENI (O COME O COME Emmanuel

The  last day of Our Solemn Christmas Novena

V: O that you would rend the heavens and come down, with the mountains quaking before you!

R: Come and show to us Your face O Lord who are enthroned upon the Cherubim

V: For the Lord shall come and to the poor He will show mercy.               

R: Drop down dew, you heavens, from above and let the clouds rain down the Just One.  Let the earth be opened and bud forth the Savior.

December 24

VENI VENI (O COME O COME EMANUEL)

V: Tomorrow He will wipe out the iniquities of the earth. 

R: And the Savior of the world will reign over us.
V: When the Sun will have arisen from the heavens in the morning sky
R: You shall see the King of kings coming forth from the Father like a radiant bridegroom from the bridal chamber!

Benedictine monks arranged these antiphons with a definite purpose. If one starts with the last title and takes the first letter of each one — Emmanuel, Rex, Oriens, Clavis, Radix, Adonai, Sapientia — the Latin words ero cras are formed, meaning, “Tomorrow, I will come.” In these words, the Lord Jesus, for whose coming we prepare in Advent and to whom we address these seven Messianic titles, now speaks to us. The O Antiphons not only bring intensity to our Advent preparations, but they bring our preparations to a joyful conclusion. Each antiphon begins with “O” and include a different Scriptural image through the Old Testament, all imploring the Messiah to come. As Elsa Chaney in Twelve Days of Christmas states, “They seem to sum up all our Advent longing as they paint in vivid terms the wretched condition of mankind and his need of a Savior.”

 May the God of peace sanctify us completely and may our spirits souls and bodies be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ!

Hasten we beseech you O Lord do not tarry, and grant us the help of your celestial power, so that we ho hope for your consolations may be lifted up by your mercy:

Click the link for the full text of prayers to Pray the Solemn Christmas Novena  based on the Seven Great O Antiphons.