Sweetly and Mightily

In the final week before Christmas, some Christian traditions pray what are called the "O" Antiphons during vespers (evening prayer). The well-known hymn "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel" paraphrases these great verses.

Each of the "O" Antiphons begins with one of the ancient titles given to the coming Messiah.

Here is the prayer for this evening:

"O Wisdom, you came forth from the mouth of the Most High, and reached from end to end, and disposed of all things sweetly and mightily: come and teach us the way of prudence."

In Latin, "O Wisdom" is "O Sapientia":