December 17, 2025
Broadcast
The Great ``O'' Antiphons
1 Corinthians 1:24
12/17/2026
24 But to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks,
Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.
(ESV)
The Magnificat (Luke 1:46-55) is assigned as the canticle
for the daily office service of Vespers. When it is sung it is
preceded and followed by an antiphon, a single verse that
connects the canticle to the holy day being observed. During the
seven days before Christmas Eve the antiphons begin with the word
``O'' followed by a form of address to Christ. Each antiphon is
a prayer to the Son of God imploring Him to come as our judge and
redeemer on the last day.
The Antiphon for December 17 is drawn from the book of
Proverbs.
O Wisdom, proceeding from the mouth of the
Most High, pervading and permeating all
creation, mightily ordering | all things:*
Come and teach us the way of | prudence.
In the book of Proverbs, wisdom is more than an attribute of
God. It is the title used to identify the Son as distinct from
the Father. Wisdom is identified as one who existed before the
world was created, and the One through whom all things were
ordered. Saint Paul alludes to this: ``But to those who are
called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the
wisdom of God.''[1]
The Antiphon reflects the language of Proverbs, where Wisdom
says: ``Hear instruction and be wise, and do not neglect it.''[2]
May our Lord grant us the wisdom to recognize the coming of
Christ Jesus, our Lord. Amen.
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1. 1 Corinthians 1:24 (ESV)
2. Proverbs 8:33