Tomorrow, I Will Come

​"O Come, O Come, Emmanuel" is a much-loved Advent hymn. This is probably one of the most familiar hymns we sing at Mass during the whole Season of Advent. But did you know that this hymn is really ought to be saved for the last eight days of Advent?

​The final eight days of Advent, are highlighted by what we call the Great ‘O’ Antiphons. These “O” statements date back to at least the 8th Century. Each antiphon which begins with the acclamation "O," addresses Christ by one of His messianic titles from the Old Testament, and ends with a heartfelt plea for His coming.

Today, in addition to appearing at Evening Prayer, they are also found in the daily liturgy. They take turns, one a day, serving as the verse to the Gospel Acclamation: “O Wisdom,” “O Lord and Ruler,” “O Root of Jesse,” “O Key of David,” “O Radiant Dawn,” “O King of All Nations,” and the most expected and greatest of them all, “O God-with-us.”

Rich in symbolism and meaning they take us right from the beginning of creation, before the creation of the universe, through the messianic prophecies of Israel, and culminating with the Incarnation and birth of Christ in Bethlehem.

December 17: O Sapientia (O Wisdom)
[Eccl 24: 5; Sir 24: 30; Eccl 24: 5]

We take a backward flight into the recesses of eternity to address Wisdom, the Word of God. Wisdom is here personified, present with God at the beginning of creation. 

O come, Thou Wisdom from on high, who ord’rest all things mightily; to us the path of knowledge show, and teach us in her ways to go.

Halina, O Karunungan, Tagapag-ayos ng tanan. Sa landas ng katimpian kami’y turua’t gabayan.

December 18: O Adonai (O Lord and Ruler)
[Exod 6:13]

We progress from creation to the familiar story of God manifesting himself by name to Moses and giving his law to Israel as their way of life.

O come, O come, Thou Lord of might, who to Thy tribes on Sinai’s height in ancient times once gave the law in cloud and majesty and awe.

Halina, O Adonai na sa bundok ng Sinai baya’y binigyan ng batas, gabay mula sa itaas.

December 19: O Radix Jesse (O Root of Jesse)
[Isa 11: 10; Isa 52: 15; Hab 2: 3]

Isaiah prophesied a restoration of David's throne - a new branch budding out of the old root.

O come, Thou Rod of Jesse’s stem, from every foe deliver them that trust Thy mighty pow’r to save, and give them vict’ry o’er the grave.

Halina, Tangkay ni Jesse, sa kaaway iligtas Mo kami. Sa kuko ng Imp’yerno mga anak Mo’y ilayo.

December 20: O Clavis David (O Key of David)
[Rev 3: 7; Isa 22: 22; Ps 107: 10]

The key and scepter are traditional symbols of kingly power and authority. Christ, the anointed one, is the heir of David and possessor of the kingdom. In the closing petition we look to Jesus to unlock the fetters of sin that keep us tightly chained. It is he who frees us from our captivity.

O come, Thou Key of David, come, and open wide our heav’nly home; make safe the way that leads on high, and close the path to misery.

Halina, Susi ni David. Landas ng dusa’y ipinid. Pinto ng Langit ay buksan; iyon ang nais naming tahanan.

December 21: O Oriens (O Radiant Dawn)
[Zac 6: 12; Hab 3: 4; Mal 3: 20; Ps 107: 10; Lk 1: 78]

This title is variously translated "morning star", "Dayspring", "rising sun", "radiant dawn", or “Orient". All beautifully express the idea of light shattering the darkness of night, of sin and death, of sickness and despair, with its brightness bringing healing and warmth to cold hearts. Jesus is indeed the true light, the radiance of his Father's splendor.

O come, Thou Dayspring from on high and cheer us by Thy drawing nigh; disperse the gloomy clouds of night, and death’s dark shadows put to flight.

Halina, Bukang-liwayway, Ikaw ang Araw na tunay. Itaboy ang dilim ng gabi. Sa kamataya’y iligtas kami.

December 22: O Rex Gentium (O King of All Nations)
[Hag 2: 8; Eph 2: 20; Gen 2: 7]

We know that He is king of all the world of man. The earlier antiphons have already alluded to the Messiah coming not only to Israel but to convert the gentile nations and redeem them for his own.

O come, Desire of nations, bind in one the hearts of all mankind; bid Thou our sad divisions cease, and be Thyself our Prince of Peace.

Halina, Hari ng mga bansa, mga alagad Iyong iadya. Manunubos, patawarin Mo kaming nagkasala sa ‘Yo.

December 23: O Emmanuel (O God-with-us)
[Isa 7: 14; 8: 8; Gen 49:10; cf. Ezek 21: 32; Isa 33: 22]

This brings us to the evening before the vigil, and before coming to the town limits of Bethlehem, we adore Him, the God-with-us.

O come, O come, Emmanuel, and ransom captive Israel, that mourns in lonely exile here until the Son of God appear.

Halina, O Emmanuel, at tubusin ang Israel. Namimighati siya’ng lubos, hinihintay Anak ng D’yos.

​When the Benedictine monks arranged the antiphons they did so with a purpose. The original Latin titles formed an acrostic to reveal a hidden message. The first letter of each phrase added to the next and then reversed spelled Ero Cras, or "Tomorrow, I will come." Often when we pray we feel that God is not answering our petition. We say impatiently, "O Lord, come!" but it seems that His apparent answer is deafening silence. The hidden message in the "O Antiphons" is proof that God is entering into dialogue with us. He brings our Advent preparation to a joyful conclusion by giving us his quiet yet constant reassurance, "Tomorrow, I will come."

This year, when you sing, “O Come, O come Emmanuel,” during the last eight days of Advent, identify the different titles for Jesus and try to ponder what each one means. Know, too, that whenever you sing this hymn with Catholic Christians worldwide, you symbolically participate in the waiting of the patriarchs, kings, prophets and priests as you await Christ's final and glorious return.

Selected Bibliography

Ero Cras (image). (2014, December 17). Retrieved December 17, 2021, from http://theraccolta.tumblr.com/post/71010021082/the-first-letters-of-the-titles-of-the-o-antiphons

Grove, A et al (2014, December 17). The O Antiphons: The Greater Antiphons of December 17-23. Retrieved December 17, 2021, from https://www.learnreligions.com/o-antiphons-542843

Just, F. (2010, December 20). O Antiphons for the Week before Christmas. Retrieved December 17, 2021, from http://catholic-resources.org/Lectionary/Advent-O-Antiphons.htm

Szpylczyn, F. (2013, December 17). The O Antiphons (images). Retrieved December 17, 2021, from https://breadhere.wordpress.com/2013/12/17/the-o-antiphons-o-sapientia-2/

Zamora, M. (2010, November 28). Halina, O Emmanuel. Retrieved December 17, 2021, from https://noelzamora.wordpress.com/2010/11/28/halina-o-emmanuel/