O Emmanuel
December 23
(From December 17 until Christmas Eve, the Church begins to enhance Evening Prayer with what have become known as the "O Antiphons." These antiphons are used to introduce the "Magnificat," Mary's Song of Praise. Each of them introduces a title that applies to Jesus, the Christ, our Messiah.)
The O Antiphon for December 23, "O Emmanuel," is drawn from Isaiah 7:14. "Emmanuel" means "God with us."
Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign; the young woman, pregnant and about to bear a son, shall name him Emmanuel.
O Emmanuel, our King and Lawgiver, the Expected of the Nations and their Saviour, come to save us, O Lord our God.
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