The Great "O" Antiphons

O Wisdom,
Holy Word of God
You rule all creation with power and true concern.
- Come teach us the way of salvation.

O Sacred Lord
and leader of ancient Israel
You communicated with Moses at the burning bush
and gave him the law on Mount Sinai
- Come to set us free by Your mighty arm

O Root of Jesse
raised up as a sign of all peoples
in Your presence kings become mute
and the nations worship before You
- Come to deliver us and do not delay

O Key of David
and Royal Power of Israel,
You open what no man can shut,
and You shut what no man can open.
- Come and deliver Your people
imprisoned by darkness and the shadow of death

O Radiant Dawn
You are the brightness of eternal light
and the Sun of justice.
- Come to enlighten those who sit in darkness
and in the shadow of death

O King of the Gentiles
and the long-for Ruler of the nations,
You are the cornerstone Who make all one.
- Come and save those whom You have created

O Emmanuel
our King and our Lawgiver
You are the Desired of the nations
and the Savior of all men.
- Come to save us, O Lord, our God!

Advent Nativity Scene Blessing

God of every nation and people, from the very beginning of creation you have made known your love: when our need for a Savior was great you sent your Son to be born of the Virgin Mary.

To our lives he brings joy and peace, justice, mercy, and love.

Lord, bless all who look upon this manger; may it remind us of the humble birth of Jesus, and raise up our thoughts to him, who is God-with-us and Savior of all, and who lives and reigns for ever and ever.

Amen.

Advent Home at Epiphany Blessing

Peace be to this house and all who live here.

During these days of the Christmas season, we keep this feast of Epiphany.

Through the guidance of a star, the coming of Jesus was made known to the Gentiles.

We celebrate Christ made known to the Magi, to John in the River Jordan, and to the disciples at the wedding at Cana.

Today Christ is made known to us! Today this home is a holy place!

The Magi came from the east to Bethlehem to adore the Lord.

We bow our heads and pray for God's blessing . . .

Lord our God, bless our home and all who live here.

May we be filled with health, goodness of heart, gentleness, obedience to Your law, and thanksgiving to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.

Help us love and respect one another and make your presence known by the way we care for others.

May this blessing remain upon this house and upon all who live here.
Through Christ our Lord.

Amen.

Roman Catholic Prayer: Advent Christmas Tree Blessing

Lord our God, we praise you for the light of creation: the sun, the moon, and the stars of the night.

We praise you for the light of Israel: the Law, and the prophets, and the wisdom of the Scriptures.

We praise you for Jesus Christ, your Son: he is Emmanuel, God-with-us, the Prince of Peace, who fills us with the wonder of your love.

Lord God, let your blessing come upon us as we light this tree.

May the light and cheer it gives be a sign of the joy that fills our hearts.

May all who delight in this tree come to the knowledge and joy of salvation.

We ask this through Christ our Lord.

Amen

Roman Catholic Prayer: Beginning Advent Prayer

How dark outside!

But see a star's in the sky; Mary and Joseph are passing by.

So let's light a candle to welcome them as they go on their way to Bethlehem.

We'll light a candle in church each day, We'll light one candle each week and pray.

We'll light a candle at home each day, We'll light a candle each week and pray .

Roman Catholic Prayer: Grace Before Advent Meal

Father, we thank you for all you have given us.

The gift of life, of family and friends and food that strengthens and nourishes us.

You loved us so much that you sent your Son Jesus to become part of our lives, to forgive us and save us and show us your care for us.

Be with us this Season to help us prepare the way for His coming.

Bless us O Lord, and these Thy gifts, which we are about to receive from Thy bounty, through Christ Our Lord.

Amen.

Roman Catholic Prayer: After Advent Meal

Let us live kind, just and holy lives as we get ready for the coming of Jesus.

For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours, now and forever.

We give you thanks Almighty God for these gifts and all Thy benefits which we have received from Thy bounty through Christ, Our Lord.

Amen.

Roman Catholic Advent Tree Prayer

Lord our God, the heavens are the work of your hands, the moon and the stars you made; the earth and the sea, and every living creature came into being by your word.

And all of us, too. May this tree bring cheer to the house through Jesus Christ your good and holy Son, who brings life and beauty to us and to our world.

Lighting this tree, we hope in his promise.

Roman Catholic Advent Manger Prayer

O God, whose mighty Son was born in Bethlehem those days long ago, lead us to that same poor place, where Mary laid her tiny Child.

And as we look on in wonder and praise, make us welcome him in all new life, see him in the poor, and care for his handiwork the earth, the sky and the sea.

O God, bless us again in your great love.

We pray for this through Christ our Lord.

Amen.

Roman Catholic Advent Candle Prayer

O God, as light comes from this candle, may the blessing of Jesus Christ come to us, warming our hearts and brightening our way.

May Christ our Savior bring life into the darkness of this world, and to us, as we wait for his coming.

Family Advent Prayer Before Meal 2

Father: Drop down dew, ye heavens above, and let the clouds rain the Just One.

All answer: Let the earth be opened and bud forth a Savior.

Children Advent Prayer 2

A Root shall come forth from the stock of Jesse
And a Flower shall rise out of his root!
And the spirit of the Lord shall rest upon Him —
the spirit of wisdom and of understanding,
the spirit of counsel and of fortitude,
the spirit of knowledge and of godliness.
The people that walked in darkness
shall see a great light,
For a Child is born to us
and a Son is given to us.
To Him all power shall be given.
His Name shall be: Wonderful One,
Strong God, Eternal One, Prince of Peace.
He shall sit on the throne of David,
And He will found a new Covenant
which will last for ever and ever.

Children Advent Prayer 1

O shepherd of Israel, hearken,
O guide of the flock of Joseph!
Rouse your power, and come to save us.
O Lord of hosts, restore us,
if your face shine upon us, then we shall be safe.
O Lord of hosts, how long will you burn with anger
while your people pray?
You have fed them with the bread of tears
and given them tears to drink in ample measure.
You have left us to be fought over by our neighbors,
and our enemies mock us.
O Lord of hosts, restore us,
if your face shine upon us, then we shall be safe.

Advent Prayer 5

Dear God, all over the world now,
the children of Holy Mother Church are singing:
"Send down dew from above, you heavens,
and let the skies pour down upon us
the rain we long for, Him, the Just One.
May He, the Savior,
spring from the closed womb of the earth!"
We know, Lord, and we have seen,
what drought does to the land.
We know, too, and have seen,
the ravages of frost and cold.
We have walked in barren fields and up dry hills,
through dead, silent woods and lifeless valleys,
and along thirsty beds of once flowing streams.
We have seen, clearly enacted for us upon the land,
what our life would be without You.
We can understand, now,
how we should long for Your coming.
Come, dear Lord and Savior,
and do not delay!
Rise up in Your power and come!
Let the rain of Your grace water the parched soil of our souls.
Let the warmth of Your love thaw the coldness of our indifference.
Let the life of Your Body and Blood
vitalize our deadened energies,
and stir us up to fruitful labor in Your vineyard.

O eternal Father,
rouse our hearts out of the sleep of sin,
so that we may clear the path of Your Son into our souls.
Each year in Advent,
You gladden us with the thought of our redemption.
Grant us, we pray You, that,
as we receive Your Son as our Redeemer now,
we may, in the future,
gladly and confidently meet Him as our Judge.

Amen.

Advent Prayer 4

O shepherd of Israel, hearken,
O guide of the flock of Joseph!
Rouse your power, and come to save us.
O Lord of hosts, restore us,
if your face shine upon us, then we shall be safe.
O Lord of hosts, how long will you burn with anger
while your people pray?
You have fed them with the bread of tears
and given them tears to drink in ample measure.
You have left us to be fought over by our neighbors,
and our enemies mock us.
O Lord of hosts, restore us,
if your face shine upon us, then we shall be safe

Family Advent Prayer Before Meal

Mother: The voice of one crying in the wilderness: Prepare the way of the Lord.

All answer: Make straight His paths.