“Rise, Shine, You People," ELW 665
1 Rise, shine, you people!
Christ the Lord has entered our human story;
God in him is centered.
He comes to us, by death and sin surrounded, with grace unbounded.
2 See how he sends the pow'rs of evil reeling;
he brings us freedom, light and life and healing.
All men and women, who by guilt are driven, now are forgiven.
3 Come, celebrate;
your banners high unfurling,
your songs and prayers against the darkness hurling.
To all the world go out and tell the story of Jesus' glory.
4 Tell how the Father sent the Son to save us.
Tell of the Son, who life and freedom gave us.
Tell how the Spirit calls from ev'ry nation God's new creation.
Devotion
Rise and shine! That was the call to me and my siblings to get up and begin to get ready to go to school. I can recall many days when rising wasn't a particularly engaging concept; and shining was out of the question. However, the call to rise and shine in this wonderful hymn is irresistible. It is because of what we acknowledge and receive in Jesus Christ. Jesus enters our humanity; with unbounded grace; evil defeated; freedom and healing; forgiveness for all believers. With that list of amazing gifts we are empowered to rise and shine. Even more: we are asked to share this good news with the whole world. "Rise, shine, you people...the Spirit calls from every nation God's new creation."
Prayer
Lord God, thank you for the abundance of your amazing gifts. Encourage and empower us to share this wonderful news with all the world. Amen.