“Savior of the Nations, Come” (ELW 263)
Devotion
For the Advent season we are looking back and reflecting on the previous week's readings.
Savior of the nations, come;
virgin's son, make here your home.
Marvel now, O heav'n and earth:
God has chosen such a birth.
Not by human flesh and blood,
but the mystic Breath of God,
was the Word of God made flesh,
fruit of woman, blossom fresh.
Wondrous birth—oh, wondrous child—
from his throne, a virgin mild!
Very God, and Mary's son,
eager now his race to run!
From God's heart the Savior speeds,
back to God his pathway leads;
out to vanquish death's command,
back to reign at God's right hand.
Now your manger, shining bright,
hallows night with newborn light.
Night cannot this light subdue;
let our faith shine ever new.
Praise we sing to Christ the Lord,
virgin's son, incarnate Word!
To the holy Trinity
praise we sing eternally!
"Savior of the Nations, Come" Text copyright 2006 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. No further reproduction or distribution allowed without the written permission of Augsburg Fortress.
The third verse of the hymn "Savior of the Nations, Come" announces our hope—the one who stands on the morning horizon, contemplating the journey ahead. The imagery comes from Psalm 19, "In the heavens he has set a tent for the sun, which comes out like a bridegroom from his wedding canopy, and runs its course with joy." The sun's light and joy characterize this coming in Psalm 19, but this is not the only imagery in the psalm. It begins with the surprising lines, "day to day pours forth speech, and night to night declares knowledge. There is no speech... their voice is not heard." The one who comes, the one who surprises us at every moment, holding and directing and leading and guiding us in every moment, is not seen or heard as we see and hear and hold ordinary things. The little child comes not to hurt or destroy but to quietly gather all humanity and all creation into one communion.
Prayer
Gather us all in, O God, as one family around the manger. Amen.