O God,
by your command the order of all time runs its course.
Look graciously on me your servant,
whom you have called into your ministry.
Mercifully preserve your gifts in me
so that my service may be pleasing to you;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Source: Gelasian, in The New Ancient Collects, #576, Bright’s Ancient Collects, p. 194.1
Today, O good Jesus,
you did not hide your face from shame and spitting for us.
Today, Jesus our Redeemer,
you were mocked,
struck by unbelievers,
and crowned with thorns for us.
Today, good Shepherd,
you laid down your life for the sheep on the cross,
and you were crucified with robbers,
and had your sacred hands nailed through.
Today you were laid in the guarded tomb,
and the saints burst open their tombs.
Today, good Jesus,
you put an end to our sins,
that on the day of your resurrection
we may joyfully receive your holy body,
and be refreshed with your sacred blood. Amen.
Source: Mozarabic Sacramentary, 7th Century
Source of this version: Freely modified from Prayers of the Middle Ages, edited by J. Manning Potts, 1954. (New Ancient Collects, #151)
O glorious, holy, almighty God,
you always pity the many wanderings of humanity,
and for this reason, you guided the Magi,
who lived in a land of dark superstition,
to your sacred cradle by the light of a star,
that you might enlighten all
who were walking in their own errors
with the desire of knowing you.
Enlighten us also with burning love for you,
that we who already know you
by your gracious illumination,
may cling to you forever. Amen.
Source: Mozarabic Liturgy
Source of this version: Freely modified from Prayers of the Early Church, edited by J. Manning Potts, 1953 also, The New Ancient Collects, #95
December 23
O Emmanuel, our king and our lawgiver,
the hope of the nations and their Saviour:
Come and save us, O Lord our God.
Source: The O Antiphons
Source of this version: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/O_Antiphons, also in Ancient Collects, ed. William Bright, p. 21
Latin:
O Emmanuel, Rex et legifer noster,
exspectatio Gentium, et Salvator earum:
veni ad salvandum nos, Domine, Deus noster.
Isaiah had prophesied:
(Emmanuel means God is with us).
December 22
O King of the nations, and their desire,
the cornerstone making both one:
Come and save the human race,
which you fashioned from clay.
Source: The O Antiphons
Source of this version: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/O_Antiphons, also in Ancient Collects, ed. William Bright, p. 21
Latin:
O Rex Gentium, et desideratus earum,
lapisque angularis, qui facis utraque unum:
veni, et salva hominem,
quem de limo formasti.
Isaiah had prophesied:
Also compare Isaiah 28:16 and Ephesians 2:14
December 21
O Morning Star,
splendour of light eternal and sun of righteousness:
Come and enlighten those
who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death.
Source: The O Antiphons
Source of this version: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/O_Antiphons, also in Ancient Collects, ed. William Bright, p. 21
Latin:
O Oriens,
splendor lucis aeternae, et sol justitiae:
veni, et illumina sedentes in tenebris, et umbra mortis.
Isaiah had prophesied:
Also compare Isaiah 60:1-2 and Malachi 4:2
December 20
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.
Source: The O Antiphons
Source of this version: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/O_Antiphons, also in Ancient Collects, ed. William Bright, p. 20
Latin:
O Clavis David, et sceptrum domus Israel;
qui aperis, et nemo claudit;
claudis, et nemo aperit:
veni, et educ vinctum de domo carceris,
sedentem in tenebris, et umbra mortis.
Isaiah had prophesied:
December 19
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.
Source: The O Antiphons
Source of this version: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/O_Antiphons, also in Ancient Collects, ed. William Bright, p. 20
Latin:
O Radix Jesse, qui stas in signum populorum,
super quem continebunt reges os suum,
quem Gentes deprecabuntur:
veni ad liberandum nos, jam noli tardare.
Isaiah had prophesied:
Jesse was the father of King David, and Micah had prophesied that the Messiah would be of the house and lineage of David and be born in David’s city, Bethlehem (Micah 5:2). Also compare Isaiah 45:14, Isaiah 52:15 and Romans 15:12.
December 18
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.
Source: The O Antiphons
Source of this version: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/O_Antiphons, also in Ancient Collects, ed. William Bright, p. 20
Latin:
O Adonai, et Dux domus Israel,
qui Moysi in igne flammae rubi apparuisti,
et ei in Sina legem dedisti:
veni ad redimendum nos in brachio extento.
Isaiah had prophesied:
Also compare Exodus 3:2 and Exodus 24:12
December 17
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.
Source: The O Antiphons
Source of this version: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/O_Antiphons, also in Ancient Collects, ed. William Bright, p. 20
Latin:
O Sapientia, quae ex ore Altissimi prodiisti,
attingens a fine usque ad finem,
fortiter suaviterque disponens omnia:
veni ad docendum nos viam prudentiae.
Isaiah had prophesied:
A Collection of Prayers 