We go to church for an ancient tradition

Saint Mark’s Episcopal Cathedral, Seattle, Washington
The O Antiphons Service of Advent Lessons and Carols

I have to confess my ignorance (and laziness). I had no idea what the “O Antiphons" were when I told Dean about the evening Advent service at Saint Mark’s. I mostly suggested we should attend because it was in the evening and I thought there'd be carol singing. I always like to sing carols. Researching -- even a little -- didn’t occur to me.

Turns out, the O Antiphons are ancient invocations (the earliest mention of them that I'm aware of -- I eventually researched a little -- was in the 6th century. Usually, one of these prayers beginning with the word "O" was sung or chanted during evening worship on each of the last seven nights before Christmas Eve. They were part of preparing to celebrate Jesus' coming into the world.

At Saint Mark's, they sang all of them in Latin and in English, interspersed with readings from the Bible, a couple of modern poems, prayers, and a hymn or two. Three choirs, handbells, incense, candles, and banners illustrated and accompanied the great O's.

The program had a request for no unauthorized video or photography during the liturgy (meaning the entire worship service); we honored that request. I noticed the authorized photographer, though. He, like others assisting with the service, wore a white robe with a rope tied around the waist. Members of the choirs wore fancier robes, while those reading scripture or poems wore regular clothes. The officiant, The Very Reverend Steven L. Thomason (the dean and rector of the cathedral), wore a green embroidered cape over a white robe. 

Finally, at the end of the service, we sang "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel," which contains, in one hymn, all seven of the O Antiphons. It's my favorite pre-Christmas carol, though I hadn't known the background of the verses. 

Here's the text of the song; I've linked each title with the Bible verses that were used during the service with that portion:

O come, O come, Emmanuel, and ransom captive Israel, that mourns in lonely exile here until the Son of God appear. Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel!

O come, thou Wisdom from on high, who orderest all things mightily; to us the path of knowledge show, and teach us in her ways to go. Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel!

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. Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel!

O come, thou Branch of Jesse's tree, free them from Satan's tyranny that trust thy mighty power to save, and give them victory o'er the grave. Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel!

O come, thou Key of David, come, and open wide our heavenly home; make safe the way that leads on high, and close the path to misery. Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel!

O come, thou Dayspring from on high, and cheer us by thy drawing nigh; disperse the gloomy clouds of night, and death's dark shadows put to flight. Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel!

O come, Desire of nations, bind in one the hearts of all mankind; bid thou our sad divisions cease, and be thyself our King of Peace. Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel!