Prayer for Dec. 19

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.  

O branch from Jesse’s stump, when hope was gone and all was lost, God raised up the dead, bring life out of death, hope out of despair, and health out of rotting decay. We, as individuals and as community, know only too well the ways of death, despair and decay. Come to us anew with the promise of life, that we might live in hope, knowing that in Jesus Christ the powers of sin and death, and hell have been defeated. Assure us that because Jesus lives, we too shall live. It is in Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.    

From “O come, O come, Emmanuel”

O come, O Branch of Jesse's stem,

unto your own and rescue them!

From depths of hell your people save,

and give them victory o'er the grave.

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel,

shall come to thee, O Israel.