December 19, 2025
Broadcast
The Great ``O'' Antiphons
Isaiah 11:10
12/19/2026
10 In that day the root of Jesse, who shall stand as
a signal for the peoples -- of him shall the
nations inquire, and his resting place shall be
glorious. (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 19 is drawn from Isaiah: ``In that
day the root of Jesse, who shall stand as a signal for the
peoples -- of him shall the nations inquire, and his resting
place shall be glorious.''
O Root of Jesse, standing as an ensign before
the peoples, before whom all kings are mute,
to whom the nations will do | homage:*
Come quickly to de- | liver us.
One of the themes of Advent is that of Christ Jesus coming
again with the blast of a trumpet to judge the living and the
dead. This Antiphon confesses that, although Christ Jesus won
the victory over sin and the grave, that victory will be given to
us only when He returns on the last day.
May our Lord grant us the strength of faith to wait for Him.
Amen.