December 21 

O  ORIENS                O DAWN OF THE EAST  

O Radiant Dawn, splendour of eternal light and brightness of eternity, sun of justice: 

R: Come, and enlighten those that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death.  

Psalm 19:6-7.

The Church has begun the seven Great “O” Antiphons of the liturgy, that date back to the seventh or eighth century, addressing its Messiah, who is to come. These antiphons are the Gospel Acclamation at the Mass of the day, and are chanted or recited at Vespers, or Evening Prayer, the Antiphon before the Magnificat, from 17th - 23rd December, as Advent ends and Christmas (Messiah) approaches.