The hymn O Come O Come Emmanuel has a number of powerful names for God that can be used as short prayers during Christmas so that we might ask for and receive the divine benefits of His character.  These short prayers are part of Church tradition and are assigned to days in December in a method of prayer called “Praying the Hours.”

December 17: Verse 2 of O Come O Come Emmanuel

O Come, Thou Wisdom, from on high, and order all things far and nigh;
to us the path of knowledge show,
and teach us in her ways to go.

Prayers:

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.

O Wisdom of our God Most High,
guiding creation with power and love:
come to teach us the path of knowledge!

 Scriptures:

Wisdom 8:1

Isaiah 11:2-3; 28:29

Proverbs 8:1-36

John 1:1-5

Dec. 18: Verse 3 of O Come O Come Emmanuel

O Come, O Come, Thou Lord of might,
who to thy tribes on Sinai’s height
in ancient times didst give the law,
in cloud, and majesty, and awe.

Prayers:

O Sacred Lord of ancient Israel,
who showed yourself to Moses in the burning bush,
who gave him the holy law on Sinai mountain:
Come, stretch out your mighty hand to set us free.

O Leader of the House of Israel,
giver of the Law to Moses on Sinai:
come to rescue us with your mighty power!

Scriptures

Exodus 3:2

Isaiah 33:22; 63:11-12

Micah 6:4

Acts 7:30-31

Dec. 19: Verse 4 of O Come O Come Emmanuel

O Come, Thou Rod of Jesse’s stem,
from ev’ry foe deliver them
that trust Thy mighty power to save,
and give them vict’ry o’er the grave.

Prayers:

O Flower of Jesse’s stem,
you have been raised up as a sign for all peoples;
kings stand silent in your presence;
the nations bow down in worship before you.
Come, let nothing keep you from coming to our aid.

O Root of Jesse’s stem,
sign of God’s love for all his people:
come to save us without delay!

Scriptures:

Isaiah 11:1, 10

Isaiah 52:15

Romans 15:12

Dec. 20: Verse 5 of O Come O Come Emmanuel

O Come, Thou Key of David, come,
and open wide our heav’nly home,
make safe the way that leads on high,
that we no more have cause to sigh.

Prayers:

O Key of David, O royal Power of Israel,
controlling at your will the gate of heaven:
Come, break down the prison walls of death
for those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death;
and lead your captive people into freedom.

O Key of David,
opening the gates of God’s eternal Kingdom:
come and free the prisoners of darkness!

Scriptures:

Revelation 3:7

Isaiah 22:22

Jeremiah 13:13; 51:19

Matthew 4:16; 16:19

Luke 1:79

Dec. 21: Verse 6 of O Come O Come Emmanuel

O Come, Thou Dayspring from on high,
and cheer us by thy drawing nigh;
disperse the gloomy clouds of night
and death’s dark shadow put to flight.

Prayers:

O Radiant Dawn, splendor of eternal light, sun of justice:
Come, shine on those who dwell in darkness
and the shadow of death.

Scriptures:

Isaiah 9:1; 58:8; 60:18-20

Malachi 4:2

Luke 1:78-79

John 8:12

Revelation 22:16

Dec. 22: Verse 7 of O Come O Come Emmanuel

O Come, Desire of the nations, bind
in one the hearts of all mankind;
bid every strife and quarrel cease
and fill the world with heaven’s peace.

Prayers:

O King of all the nations, the only joy of every human heart;
O Keystone of the mighty arch of man:
Come and save the creature you fashioned from the dust.

O King of all nations and keystone of the Church:
come and save man, whom you formed from the dust!

Scriptures:

Isaiah 2:4; 11:10

Psalm 47:8; Jeremiah 10:7

Daniel 7:14; Haggai 2:8

Romans 15:12

Ephesians 2:14, 20

Dec. 23: Verse 1 of O Come O Come Emmanuel

O Come, O Come, Emmanuel,
and ransom captive Israel,
that mourns in lonely exile here
until the Son of God appear.

Prayers:

O Emmanuel, king and lawgiver,
desire of the nations, Savior of all people:
Come and set us free, Lord our God.

O Emmanuel, our King, and Giver of Law:
come to save us, Lord our God!

Scriptures:

Isaiah 7:14

Matthew 1:23

1 Timothy 4:9