O Rex Gentium : O King of Nations
December 22
READER
O King of the Nations, the Ruler they long for, the Cornerstone uniting all people: Come and save mankind whom You formed out of clay.
PREACHER
Is there anyone here who feels that she has never, in all her life, had a ?rm foundation? Who feels that his life has always been shifting sand? Neither nation, nor family, nor church nor friends have given her any solid ground on which to stand and upon which to build? Who feels that his life is clay and his life is crumbling? Then we say to that person, “Brother, Sister, take heart! For no one can lay any foundation other than the one that has been laid; that foundation is Jesus Christ. Against Him even the gates of hell cannot prevail. He is Emmanuel. He is God-with-us and He is with you, too. So rejoice and sing:”
PEOPLE
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!