This booklet contains images and devotions composed by UUMC members upon reflection of

the four “O” antiphons—those beloved texts that are traditionally sung at evening prayer

the seven days preceding Christmas. The “O” antiphons are so named because that is how

they each begin, followed by one of the names given to Christ in Scripture.

May these reflections guide your meditation this Advent season.

O Emmanuel, our king and our lawgiver,

the hope of the nations and their Savior:

Come and save us, O Lord our God.

(Isaiah 7:14)

O child who more than a child may be

The words of the prophets frightened me

That Elijah is born of the virgin Mary,

An unmarried woman carrying a baby.

You who is called the lord of all,

I cannot help thinking, how can one so small

Cause so much havoc and grief in our world?

You remake our lives with what must be disturbed.

For the shepherds, the wise men, and the Pharisees

Have focused too long on outdated decrees.

The prince of peace, yet bringing war.

O child who is a king at your core.

O child who is the herder of men,

Yet weak in a manger as a newborn lamb.

Come lead your people:

Each woman and man.

-Lucy Dickens

There is silence over the land All eyes turn to the throne, But no sound comes. The king remains still, lips together, unmoving – but not unmoved. His eyes are fixed on the horizon. While the people wait for their deliverance, their lord watches the new star rising. His kingdom’s problems will not be solved through his words alone. Now the time has come. The silenced King will travel west to find his nation’s prayers answered in the cry of a God-born child. -Ruth Sulser

O Root of Jesse, standing as a sign among the peoples;

before you kings will shut their mouths,

to you the nations will make their prayer:

Come and deliver us, and delay no longer.

(Isaiah 11:1,10; Is. 45:14; Is. 52:15; Romans 15:12)

O King of the nations, and their desire,

the cornerstone making both one:

Come and save the human race,

which you fashioned from clay.

(Isaiah 9:6; Is. 2:4; Is. 28:16; Ephesians 2:14)

Artwork by Rev. Jill Sander-Chali

O Morning Star, splendor of light eternal and

sun of righteousness:

Come and enlighten those who dwell in

darkness and the shadow of death.

(Isaiah 9:2; Is. 60:1-2; Malachi 4:2)

Artwork by Ellen Sulser

In Jesus there is no darkness at all. The night and the day are both the same. The Lamb is the light of the City of God. Shine in my heart Lord Jesus Adapted from Hymn 206, “I Want to Walk as a Child of the Light” by Kathleen Thomerson, 1966 Submitted anonymously