Guide me by your fidelity and teach me, for you are God my savior,
for you I wait all the day long. (Psalm 25:5)
December 16, 2025
Hello Everyone –
Seventeen days have passed since the beginning of the season of Advent, and the
invitation of Gaudete Sunday hopefully still rings in our ears: Rejoice in the Lord always. I shall say it again: rejoice! (Philippians 4:4)
In the midst of life’s busyness that escorts us to the feast of Christmas, I pray that you have been able to find some time for yourself to prepare and reflect not only on the meaning of these opening days of a new liturgical year but also on what they lead us to. This is a graced season that attempts to prepare us not only for Jesus’ birth in time but also for the second coming of Christ at the last day.
On December 17, the Church begins her final efforts at preparation for Christmas. With special solemnity, seven “O” antiphons accompany the Magnificat (Luke 1:46-55) at Evening Prayer (Vespers) and help us find our way to Christmas Eve. Each antiphon utilizes ancient biblical imagery drawn from the hopes that a Messiah would one day come.
Although you may not be bound to mark the passage of your day by praying Vespers, I invite you to at least find a few moments in the next week to prepare for the Lord’s coming in your own heart. Perhaps you will find these antiphons which date to at least the eighth century useful for your prayer.
December 17
O Wisdom of our God Most High,
guiding creation with power and love:
come to teach us the path of knowledge!
December 18
O Leader of the House of Israel,
giver of the Law to Moses on Sinai:
come to rescue us with your mighty power!
December 19
O Root of Jesse’s stem,
sign of God’s love for all his people:
come to save us without delay!
December 20
O Key of David,
opening the gates of God’s eternal Kingdom:
come and free the prisoners of darkness!
December 21
O Radiant Dawn,
splendor of eternal light, sun of justice:
come and shine on those who dwell in darkness and in the
shadow of death.
December 22
O King of all nations and keystone of the Church:
come and save man, whom you formed from the dust!
December 23
O Emmanuel, our King and Giver of Law:
come to save us, Lord our God!
Let us hasten to keep watch as the days intensify to the great feast of the coming of the Prince of Peace.
As I do for you, please pray for me,
Most Reverend Jeffrey S. Grob
Archbishop of Milwaukee
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