“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 original German of our Advent hymn has more verses than the six we usually sing. The sixth verse in the German text sings about restoration. As Christ is equal to the Father, we pray that his presence now in this world, in this life, in our body, brings us all back to wholeness. Restoration is cosmic! It touches not only our soul but our whole existence, spiritual and physical. In this last week of Advent, our hope and waiting are also broadened. We pray now for the restoration of all creation, for the well-being of all humanity and today especially for the physical well-being of all people, especially those who do not have enough to eat and those who are refugees, traveling the seas, seeking a new home, living in camps. The Advent litany for this day cries out, "O Adonai, and leader of the House of Israel." Calling upon Adonai or Lord, we cry out to the one who is sovereign and who alone can accomplish this restoration.
Prayer
O Adonai, O Lord of might, who appeared to Moses in the fire of the burning bush and gave him the law on Sinai: Come and redeem us with an outstretched arm.