Advent Devotion for December 8

O Rex Gentium

O King of nations, the ruler they long for, the cornerstone uniting all people:
Come and save us all, whom You formed out of clay.

Reading: Jeremiah 10:1–10

As the Creator and King of the universe, God has a universal dominion over the creation and its principalities. While the men of these principalities may fashion idols in place of God, none are like the true God. Jesus in His incarnation became the image of the true and invisible God, physically bringing the kingdom of the heavens to earth. He took on flesh and was crucified with a crown of thorns. From His bloody death the Sacraments flow—only there can the Kingdom be found. Christ the cornerstone of the church uses the water, flesh, and blood to unite all believers together in the Church and together into the kingship and eternal reign of Christ the King.

Prayer: O Lord our God, You are the heavenly king of the universe. Unify Your church in Christ through the life-giving Sacraments that, in this union, man may enter the eternal kingdom of God; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen

Hymn LSB 338:2

Born Thy people to deliver;
Born a child and yet a king!
Born to reign in us forever,
Now Thy gracious kingdom bring.
By Thine own eternal Spirit
Rule in all our hearts alone;
By Thine all-sufficient merit
Raise us to Thy glorious throne.

(Luke Otten, Sem I)