An ancient prayer for Wisdom

The “O Antiphons” refer to the seven antiphons that are recited (or chanted) preceding the Magnificat during Vespers of the Liturgy of the Hours. They cover the special period of Advent preparation known as the Octave before Christmas, Dec. 17-23.

Each antiphon is a name of Christ, one of his attributes mentioned in Scripture. They are:

• December 17: O Sapientia- O Wisdom
  
• December 18: O Adonai - O Sacred Lord of Israel
• December 19: O Radix Jesse  O Root of Jesse
• December 20: O Clavis David (O Key of  David
• December 21: O Oriens O Dayspring
• December 22: O Rex Gentium O King of the nations
• December 23: O Emmanuel O God with us

O Sapientia: “O Wisdom, O holy Word of God, you govern all creation with your strong yet tender care. Come and show your people the way to salvation.”
 Poetic translation
O Wisdom, that proceedest
from the mouth of the Most
High, reaching from end to
end mightily, and disposing
all things sweetly come
and teach us the way of
prudence.
Isaiah 11:2-3: “The spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him: a spirit of wisdom and of understanding, a spirit of counsel and of strength, a spirit of knowledge and fear of the Lord, and his delight shall be the fear of the Lord.”.