The O Antiphons: O King of All Nations: December 22

O King of All Nations. Jesus is not just a king for those who already believe. He is radically different. He is different because unlike the past kings he does not have flaws, he cannot turn away from God, and he always and everywhere has the desire for people to be good. As such, this is a universal event.

O King of All Nations

O King of all nations and keystone of the Church:
come and save man, whom you formed from the dust!

When Jesus appears as human, it is the start of a dramatic change in the view of religion. Perhaps there is nothing more dramatic than the obligation to proclaim the Good News of Jesus to all people, not just to those already Jewish. “Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.”

This is because Jesus is not just a king for those who already believe. He is radically different. He is different because unlike the past kings he does not have flaws, he cannot turn away from God, and he always and everywhere has the desire for people to be good. As such, this is a universal event. The Incarnation is not simply about an event that started Christianity. It is about our desire to believe in the goodness of all people, knowing that all people are made in the image and likeness of God.

The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops has a list of all the O Antiphons.

Check out these additional resources for Advent.