Can you believe that Christmas is less than two weeks away? For children watching the pile of presents grow under the tree, their excitement and anticipation is building day by day as they look forward to unwrapping their gifts. This sense of growing anticipation is present in our liturgy as well, as we look forward to the day when the world received the greatest gift of all.

Having crossed the halfway point of Advent, this Sunday is known as Gaudete Sunday, which means “rejoice.” The rose color of the priest’s vestments and the third candle lighten up the Advent purple, and today’s readings urge us to rejoice as our Savior’s coming draws near.

On Thursday, we will enter into the final eight days before Christmas, which the Church observes with special solemnity as the “home stretch” of our preparation for Jesus’ birth. One of the beautiful features of these days are the “O antiphons,” which have been prayed on these days since at least the eighth century. These short verses express our longing for Christ’s coming, addressing him using titles taken from Old Testament prophecies. At weekday Mass on these days, they are used as the Alleluia verse before the Gospel. They also form the basis of the hymn “O Come, O Come Emmanuel.” The Latin titles and English translation of the antiphons are below. I hope they will help to fill your heart with childlike excitement and joy as we prepare to celebrate Christmas and receive God’s gift of salvation.

December 17: O Sapientia

O Wisdom of our God Most High, guiding creation with wisdom and love: come to teach us the path of knowledge! (see Wisdom 8:1; Sirach 24:3)

December 18: O Adonai

O Leader of the House of Israel, giver of the Law to Moses on Sinai: come to rescue us with your mighty power! (see Exodus 3:8; 24:12)

December 19: O Radix Jesse

O Root of Jesse’s stem, sign of God’s love for all his people: come to save us without delay! (see Isaiah 11:1, 10)

December 20: O Clavis David

O Key of David, opening the gates of God’s eternal Kingdom: come and free the prisoners of darkness! (see Isaiah 22:22; 42:7)

December 21: O Oriens

O Radiant Dawn, splendor of eternal light, sun of justice: come and shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death! (see Isaiah 9:2; Malachi 4:2 [3:20 in some versions])

December 22: O Rex Gentium

O King of all nations and keystone of the Church: come and save man, whom you formed from the dust! (see Isaiah 28:16; Haggai 2:7)

December 23: O Emmanuel

O Emmanuel, our King and Giver of Law: come to save us, Lord our God! (see Isaiah 7:14)

P.S. If you read the first letter of the Latin words backwards, they spell “Ero cras,” which is Latin for “I will be [here] tomorrow.”