December 19 - O Radix Iesse

O Radix Iesse (Root of Jesse)

LATIN: O Radix Iesse, qui stas in signum populorum, super quem continebunt reges os suum, quem gentes deprecabuntur: veni ad liberandum nos, iam noli tardare.   (Listen here)

ENGLISH: O Root of Jesse, that stands for an ensign of the people, before whom the kings keep silence and unto whom the Gentiles shall make supplication: come, to deliver us, and tarry not.

O Root of Jesse! O Prince of Life!
Gather your people around your banner,
unite us into one nation!
Only you are able
to tear down our walls
and to cross our moats.
 
Before you, the kings of this age are speechless.
Only you can deliver us from the lords of war
and from the pundits of fear,
only you can contest the will of the grave.
The gods that have seduced us
the gods of power
and wealth
and privilege--
Their commands go unheard.
 
You command the allegiance of your people!
It is you whom we seek!
You have found us,
and you we will follow!
Deliver us with your arm,
lead us with your staff.
 
Hear the cry of your people:
Come and come quickly--
we await your liberation!


“O Come, O Come Emmanuel” vs 4
 
O come, O Branch of Jesse, free
                your own from Satan's tyranny;
                from depths of hell your people save,
                and give them vict'ry o'er the grave.
Refrain
                Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
                shall come to you, O Israel.