O King of the nations, the ruler

They long for, the cornerstone

Uniting all people:

Come and save us all,

Whom You formed out of clay.

King Arthur is famous for a whole lot of things he probably never did. But one thing about his legend he probably did do is unite a number of warring English factions. It takes a special kind of person to unite groups who are at war, to unite different people with different traditions and cultures as one.

Jesus, the Son of David and King of Israel, the one who is the embodiment of all that Israel was or hoped to be and therefore so opposed to all that the gentiles are, He is the one they will long for. Isaiah and other prophets often foresaw this. That the coastlands would wait for him and in his teaching they would hope (Is. 42:40. The coastlands were those gentile nations to the east of Israel. And by that Isaiah is referring to all the nations. Christ is the Shepherd who will unite all in one flock. The cornerstone on whom the Holy Christian church will be built from every tribe and tongue and people and language. Whatever different cultures, traditions, and experiences they have. There is one thing they have in common, one thing that matters far more than anything else. One who came to save, to unite, to bring back to one all mankind. All those from Adam who with him are formed out of clay. There is after all, only one human race. Dispersed by sin. United in the savior from sin. O come, King of the nations!

Oh, come, Desire of nations, bind
In one the hearts of all mankind;
Oh, bid our sad divisions cease,
And be yourself our King of Peace.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel  Shall come to you, O Israel!