Great Days of Advent - Day 1 (December 17)

Today, December 17, begins the Great Days of Advent. We are now in the second part of Advent, focusing on preparing for the celebration of Christ's birth. (The first half of Advent focuses more on Christ's second coming).

Among the tradition of these Great Days of Advent is the "O Antiphons" (more familiar in the song "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel") These prayers are used at Mass as the Alleluia verse and at evening prayer.

Each of these antiphons highlights a title of Jesus, the Messiah.May these prayers help us focus on Jesus Christ, the reason for the season.

And today, the prayer is

O Wisdom,
O holy Word of God,
you govern all creation with your strong yet tender care.
Come and show your people the way to salvation....