O Antiphons: O King of the Nations

December 22 – O King of the Nations (O Rex Gentium)

O King of the nations, and their desire,

the cornerstone making both one:

Come and save the human race,

which you fashioned from clay.

(Original translation from Latin)

O King of the Gentiles, the object of our desire,

you are the rock on which the church has been built.

You graft your chosen people together in one body.

Come now and save us who are but dirt and clay.

(Contemporary translation from Thom Turner on Everyday Liturgy blog, http://everydayliturgy.com/o-antiphons-a-theological-translation/)

Jeremiah 30.7-11a; Revelation 15:3; Psalm 118:22; Isaiah 28:16; Matthew 21:42; Mark 12:10; Luke 20:17; Acts 4:11; Ephesians 2:20; I Peter 2:6

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.

(From "O Come O Come Emmanuel")

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