O come, O come Immanuel

O Adonai, and leader of the House of Israel,

who appeared to Moses in the burning bush

and gave him the law on Sinai:

Come and redeem us with outstretched arm.

(Advent Antiphon for December 18)

During the final week of advent many Christian traditions use a series of seven prayers known as the Advent Antiphons. Verses of the nineteenth century advent hymn O come, O come, Immanuel bring these together in a musical setting still used in many churches.

Used as prayers through the final week of advent these short prayers express the hope of redemption and deliverance from the darkness of exile. Most are based on Old Testament passages that remind God's people of their history. The God who has been faithful in the past can surely be relied upon to fulfil promises in the future. As the Christian community moves towards Christmas Day it does so in the sure and certain knowledge that this is no vain hope.

O come, O come, Immanuel.