Prayer for Dec. 17, 2022

The O Antiphons have been part of church practice since at least the 8th century, they are linked to the 7 days (Dec. 17-23) leading up to Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. They are built around 7 of Jesus’ names and titles, and as prayers invite Jesus to come and live out his role in our lives and in the world. The ancient Advent carol “O come, O come, Emmanuel” uses these 7 names/titles of Jesus.   

 A Prayer

O Wisdom of God Most High, all the knowledge and wisdom that humanity needs to live in a good way on the earth comes from you. You sent Jesus Christ, the Word made flesh, to live wisdom in human form.  Tune our ears into Jesus’ wisdom, for we live a world that is a cacophony of competing and conflicting voices and views. Send us the Holy Spirit that we might be guided into the path that leads to life. Teach us to know and live the Jesus’ way. In Jesus’s name. Amen.

From “O come, O come, Emmanuel”

O come, O Wisdom from on high,

who ordered all things, far and nigh;

to us the path of knowledge show

and cause us in its ways to go.

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel,

shall come to thee, O Israel.