o desire of nations

o come desire of nations bind, in one the hearts of all mankind
bid thou our sad divisions cease, and be thyself our king of peace
rejoice rejoice emmanuel, shall come to thee o Israel

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o dayspring

o come thou dayspring from on high, and cheer us by thy drawing nigh
disperse the gloomy clouds of night, and death's dark shadows put to flight
rejoice rejoice emmanuel, shall come to thee o Israel

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o key of david

o come thou key of david come, and open wide our heavenly home
make safe the way that leads on high, and close the path to misery
rejoice rejoice emmanuel, shall come to thee o israel

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o root of jesse

o come thou branch of jesse's tree, free them from satan's tyranny
that trust thy mighty power to save, and give them victory o'er the grave
rejoice rejoice emmanuel, shall come to thee o Israel

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o adonai

o come o come thou lord of might, who to thy tribes on sinai's height
in ancient times did give the law, in cloud and majesty and awe
rejoice rejoice emmanuel, shall come to thee o israel

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o wisdom

o come, o wisdom from on high, who orders all things mightily,
to us the path of knowledge show, and teach us in her ways to go.
rejoice, rejoice, emmanuel, shall come to thee o israel.

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pilate ring

A ring found 50 years ago at an archaeological dig at the Herodian (site of King Herod's tomb) has recently been cleaned and deciphered. It appears to be one of the stamping rings of Pontius Pilate, Governor of Judea at the time of Christ. It has his seal and his name in Greek, Pilatos, surrounding it. This is a major find, the second time Pilate's name has been found inscribed in the Holy Land. The first was a stone of dedication found in Caesarea in 1961 (shown below).




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