Tomorrow, I come.

We are in the final days.  There is a very beautiful set of antiphons which are commonly sung in this final week.  The word antiphon comes from Greek, and it means 'opposite voice.'  It refers to music which is sung in a call and response form.  The O antiphons are traditionally sung during the octave (eight days) preceding Christmas.  There are seven antiphons, not eight.  The eighth day is Christmas Eve.


The o antiphons are ancient.  They are not one of our modern inventions or prayers.  They are mentioned by Christians as early as the fifth century.  They have stood the test of time for many because they are simple, but have rich meaning.  


The antiphons each describe two complementary things.  Each one voices a name for our Lord, and each one alludes to the messianic prophesy declaring to that name.  When you sing them you call God and recall scripture.  It is a device that gives Christian context to the Old Testament verses.  They are mini-meditations on the person of Jesus Christ.  


Interestingly, in Latin, the antiphons are as follows:
Sapientia
Adonai
Radix Jesse
Clavis David
Oriens
Rex Gentium
Emmanuel


It would be more interesting if you spoke Latin.  (I don't.)  The first letter of each, in reverse order spells "Ero cras."  That, I am assured, means "Tomorrow, I come."  A simple acrostic to help people remember.  Tomorrow could be any day.  Jesus is coming back.  We cannot know when, so we have to remain ready.  


The O antiphons teach us who Jesus is, and remind us to keep ready- all in just a few words each day.    


Here they are in English:

December 17
O Wisdom of our God Most High, (O Sapientia, Isaiah 11:2)
guiding creation with power and love:
come to teach us the path of knowledge!

December 18
O Leader of the House of Israel, (O Adonai, Isaiah 33:22)
giver of the Law to Moses on Sinai:
come to rescue us with your mighty power!

December 19 
O Root of Jesse’s stem, (O Radix Jesse, Isaiah 11:1)
sign of God’s love for all his people:
come to save us without delay!

December 20 
O Key of David, (Clavis David, Isaiah 22:22)
opening the gates of God’s eternal Kingdom:
come and free the prisoners of darkness!

December 21
O Radiant Dawn, (O Oriens, Isaiah 9:2)
splendor of eternal light, sun of justice:
come and shine on those who dwell in darkness and in the
shadow of death.

December 22
O King of all nations and keystone of the Church: (O Rex Gentium, Isaiah 2:4)
come and save man, whom you formed from the dust!

December 23
O Emmanuel, our King and Giver of Law: (O Emmanuel, Isaiah 7:14)
come to save us, Lord our God!
http://www.usccb.org/advent/prayers.shtml#antiphons