O Rex Gentium – 22nd December
O King whom all the peoples desire, you are the cornerstone which makes all one. O come and save man whom you made from clay.
O King whom all the peoples desire, you are the cornerstone which makes all one. O come and save man whom you made from clay.
O Rising Sun, you are the splendour of eternal light and the sun of justice. O come and enlighten those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death.
O key of David and sceptre of Israel, what you open no one else can close again; what you close no one can open. O come and lead the captive from prison; free those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death.
O stock of Jesse, you stand as a signal for the nations; kings fall silent before you whom the peoples acclaim. O come and deliver us, and do not delay.
O Adonai and leader of Israel, you appeared to Moses in a burning bush and you gave him the Law on Sinai. O come and save us with your mighty power.
Reflect on the Mass readings for the Fourth Sunday of Advent with this extract from our book Prepare the Way of the Lord.