Advent: O Come, Emmanuel | The Church of England

For more than a thousand years, Christians have prepared for the nativity of Christ with the Advent Antiphons – an ancient and rich tapestry of biblical titles for Christ – on which the much-loved hymn O Come, O Come Emmanuel is based.

This Advent, the Church of England offers a unique discipleship resource exploring these images.

Available as a full-colour book from Church House Publishing featuring eight respected writers and newly commissioned artwork, and via the Everyday Faith app, this resource invites us to meditate daily on the seven Antiphons, the scriptures that inspired them, and Mary’s great song of praise, the Magnificat, which they frame at evening prayer.

With daily reflections by Jane Williams, Chris Russell, Esther Prior, Philip North, Muthuraj Swamy, Tanya Marlow and David Hoyle, this resource invites us to pray with longing as we prepare to welcome Christ into the world.

Alongside the book, new musical settings of all seven antiphons and original artwork based on them have been commissioned.

Watch the new antiphons performed on YouTube.

What are the Advent Antiphons?

The Advent antiphons are prayers calling God to come as our teacher and deliverer. The antiphons address him by seven scriptural titles, each of which speaks to a different aspect of Christ’s identity:

17 December – O Sapientia

O Wisdom, coming forth from the mouth of the Most High,
reaching from one end to the other mightily,
and sweetly ordering all things:
Come and teach us the way of prudence.

18 December – O Adonai

O Adonai, and leader of the House of Israel,
who appeared to Moses in the fire of the burning bush
and gave him the law on Sinai:
Come and redeem us with an outstretched arm.

19 December – O Radix Jesse

O Root of Jesse, standing as a sign among the peoples;
before you kings will shut their mouths,
to you the nations will make their prayer:
Come and deliver us, and delay no longer.

20 December – O Clavis David

O Key of David and sceptre of the House of Israel;
you open and no one can shut;
you shut and no one can open:
Come and lead the prisoners from the prison house,
those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death.

21 December – O Oriens

O Morning Star,
splendour of light eternal and sun of righteousness:
Come and enlighten those who dwell in darkness
and the shadow of death.

22 December – O Rex Gentium

O King of the nations, and their desire,
the cornerstone making both one:
Come and save the human race,
which you fashioned from clay.

23 December – O Emmanuel

O Emmanuel, our King and our lawgiver,
the hope of the nations and their Saviour:
Come and save us, O Lord our God.

The Advent Antiphons are part of the rich variety of liturgical resources for the Advent season found in Common Worship: Times and Seasons – which is available in print from Church House Publishing and in the Liturgy and Worship section of this site.

There are many creative ways to explore the antiphons during Advent both at church and at home. Traditionally, the Advent antiphons are used with the Magnificat from 17–23 December. If you pray Evening Prayer daily, this is the ideal setting. But they can also enrich other forms of prayer. Explore the Advent antiphons:

In your church
At home
Through artwork
With young people
- Bitesize daily reflections for 11-15 year olds written by Lucy Rycroft can be downloaded in full colour or black and white.
- A four week session plan for youth groups using the reflections together is also available to be downloaded.
- An activity sheet based on each of the seven Advent antiphons.