The significance of the Great O antiphons was to provide a contrast to other secular and religious celebrations during these days. These verses provide a way of encouraging Christians to pray with anticipation for God’s presence and deliverance. The Great O antiphons can be found in the Book of Common Worship, pp. 166–67. Beginning on December 17 and continuing each day until Christmas Eve you will find an invocation to the Messiah accompanied by a messianic title that may be paired with a reading from Scripture. For example:

Verses of the hymn “O Come, O Come Emmanuel” may be sung as a response to the reading. An alternate setting is found in The Psalter: Psalms and Canticles for Singing.

In this time when Advent and Christmas have once again become countercultural, using the Great O antiphons is a powerful way to connect with the testimony of Christians through the ages and to witness to the coming of the birth of Jesus Christ.

More about the Great O antiphons as well as the seasons of Advent and Christmas may be found in The Companion to the Book of Common Worship, edited by Peter C. Bower, published by Geneva Press, 2003.

Book of Order, #070017 $7.50

Psalter for Christian Worship

Soft cover            #097810          $14.95
Hard cove            #097811          $25.95

To order: (800) 524-2612 or visit our Marketplace.

Paul Galbreath formerly served as associate for Worship in the Office of Theology and Worship. For additional information, contact Chip Andrus (888) 728-7228, ext. 5777.