O Root of Jesse, standing as a sign among the peoples;
before you kings will shut their mouths,
to you the nations will make their prayer:
Come and deliver us, and delay no longer.
In many parts of the world, O Lord, Your sign is raised up: the sign of the Cross.
Exalted in it, You exclaim: “I am the salvation of the nations.”
“Why this uproar among the nations, this impotent muttering of the peoples? Kings of the earth take up position, princes plot together against Yahweh and his anointed.” (Ps 2:1-2)
What have you done to them?
The idols of the peoples are vanity of vanities;
their efforts are vain and useless,
as long as they do not recognise the One
who has been set up as a “sign for the peoples”.
Set yourselves in motion, O peoples of the earth,
follow the star that leads you to Bethlehem (Mt 2:9).
There you will find Him in holy poverty.
It is He who casts down the mighty from their thrones
and exalts the lowly (Lk 1:52);
It is He who restores the broken right,
and unmasks all false dominion.
Only he who has clean hands and a pure heart can stand before him (Ps 24:3-4).
Come, O people, and wash yourselves in the blood he shed for you (Eph 1:7)!
The Child you see in Bethlehem will complete His work on Golgotha.
He has brought us the Good News; the message of the Eternal Father.
Therefore, listen to Him and pay attention to His words.
Sit at His feet beside His Mother.
Look to Him and become His disciples!
The Lord does not delay His coming, but waits for you (2 Pet 3:9),
and it is you who must not delay.
He, the true King, is waiting for you in the manger.
Come in haste to the city of David!
God’s Promised One lies in the manger as a Child;
O Child Divine! Thou, the Longed-for of our devoted fathers;
Thou Branch springing from the root of Jesse.
The search is at an end…
He is here! Haste ye and tarry not till ye come to Him.
Having found Him, abide with Him, for He is your home.