Prayer for Dec. 23

The O Antiphons have been part of church practice since at least the 8th century, they are linked to the 7 days (Dec. 17-23) leading up to Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. They are built around 7 of Jesus’ names and titles, and as prayers invite Jesus to come and live out his role in our lives and in the world. The ancient Advent carol “O come, O come, Emmanuel” uses these 7 names/titles of Jesus.  

O Emmanuel, God with us, we are lonely people, made lonelier by COVID and the pace of our lives. We are an anxious people, made more anxious by all we see and hear in social media. We feel alienated from our communities, our families, and even from ourselves, tears have become our food day and night. Emmanuel, Jesus Christ, come to be with us, giving us your hope for our anxiety, your joy for our sorrow, and your presence in community for our loneliness. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

From “O come, O come, Emmanuel”

O come, O come, Immanuel,

and ransom captive Israel

that mourns in lonely exile here

until the Son of God appear.

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel,

shall come to thee, O Israel.