The most beautiful part of Advent in our domestic church is getting to do the Jesse Tree and light candles and sing right before bedtime. The last few days of Advent we get to also use the O Antiphons, it sort of ups the anticipation for Christmas and clues the kids in on how close we are to this huge feast day. A few years ago I made did some paper crafting with my Cricut and made some O Antiphon prayer cards. If you like Jesse Tree ornaments you can try making O Antiphon ornaments as well.
The prayer cards get used differently each year around here. This year my kids decided to put the O Antiphon prayer cards right onto our Christmas tree.
December 17th O Sapientia or O Wisdom- comes from Eternity and the Word of God
Veni, O Sapientia, O come, Thou Wisdom, from on high
Quae hic disponis omnia, and order all things far and nigh;
Veni, viam prudentiae to us the path of knowledge show,
Ut doceas et gloriae. and teach us in her ways to go.
Refrain
Gaude, gaude, Emmanuel Rejoice Rejoice! Emmanuel,
Nascetur pro te, Israel. Shall come to thee O Israel.
December 18th O Adonai - the time and law of Moses
Refrain
Gaude, gaude, Emmanuel Rejoice Rejoice! Emmanuel,
Nascetur pro te, Israel. Shall come to thee O Israel.
December 19th O Radix Jesse or O Root of Jesse - Prophecies from the Line of King Davi
Gaude, gaude, Emmanuel Rejoice Rejoice! Emmanuel,
Nascetur pro te, Israel. Shall come to thee O Israel.
Refrain
Gaude, gaude, Emmanuel Rejoice Rejoice! Emmanuel,
Nascetur pro te, Israel. Shall come to thee O Israel.
December 21st O Oriens or O Dawn of the East - look for a rising star in the East
(Although part of this isn't necessarily Nativity related- also don't forget the prophecy from Ezekiel Ch. 11- read that also, then think about about Jesus re-entering Jerusalem and the lowly creature he was on and the direction from which he came- WOW how everything ties together huh?)
Refrain
Gaude, gaude, Emmanuel Rejoice Rejoice! Emmanuel,
Nascetur pro te, Israel. Shall come to thee O Israel.
December 22nd- O Rex Gentium or O King of the Gentiles- prophecy that He is a King for all Nations
Refrain
Gaude, gaude, Emmanuel Rejoice Rejoice! Emmanuel,
Nascetur pro te, Israel. Shall come to thee O Israel.
December 23rd O Emmanuel, it means God is with us
Take all of the Latin Messianic Titles and put the first letter them in order like this- ERO CRAS, meaning, "Tomorrow, I will come."