O Antiphons An Ancient Advent Litany

O Wisdom, O holy Word of God, You govern all creation with your strong yet tender care: O come and show your people the way to salvation.

O Lord of Ancient Israel, Who showed yourself to Moses in the burning bush, Who gave him the holy law on Sinai mountain: O come, stretch out your mighty hand to set us free.

O Flower of Jesse’s Stem, You have been raised up as a sign for all peoples; Kings stand silent in your presence; the nations bow down in worship before you; O come, let nothing keep you from coming to our aid.

O Key of David, O royal power of Israel controlling at your will the gate of heaven: O come, break down the prison walls of death for those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death; and lead your captive people into freedom.

O Rising Sun, Splendour of eternal light, sun of justice: O come, shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death.

O King of all the Nations, The only joy of every human heart, You are the keystone of the arch, binding two halves into one: O come and save humankind whom you fashioned out of clay.

O Emmanuel, God-with-us, Our king and lawgiver, desire of the nations and saviour: O come and set us free, Lord, our God.

Image List: 1.Qumran Caves, Dead Sea, Israel 2.Baptismal Site, Jordan River, Jordan 3.Mount Nebo, Jordan 4.Garden Gethsemane, Jerusalem, Israel 5.Old City, Jerusalem, Israel 6.Baptismal Site, Jordan River, Jordan 7.Temple Mount, Jerusalem, Israel 8.View from the Mount of Olives, Jerusalem, Israel Acknowledgements: All photos are used with the permission of K Bowden