Songs of Thankfulness and Praise (Evangelical Lutheran Worship 310)
1 Songs of thankfulness and praise, Jesus, Lord, to thee we raise;
Manifested by the star To the sages from afar,
Branch of royal David’s stem In the birth at Bethlehem:
Anthems be to thee addressed, God in flesh made manifest.
2 Manifest at Jordan’s stream, Prophet, Priest, and King supreme;
And at Cana wedding guest In thy Godhead manifest;
Manifest in power divine, Changing water into wine;
Anthems be to thee addressed, God in flesh made manifest.
3 Manifest in making whole Palsied limbs and fainting soul;
Manifest in valiant fight, Quelling all the devil’s might;
Manifest in gracious will, Ever bringing good from ill:
Anthems be to thee addressed, God in flesh made manifest.
4 Grant us grace to see thee, Lord, Present in thy holy Word;
Grace to imitate thee now And be pure, as pure art thou;
That we might become like thee At thy great epiphany,
And may praise thee, ever blest, God in flesh made manifest.
Text: Christopher Wordsworth; Music: Jakob Hintze; Public Domain
Devotion
Today, the Second Sunday after Epiphany, we’ll review our week’s theme—help for our life’s journeys. Christopher Wordsworth’s refrain, “God in flesh made manifest,” refers to Jesus’ birth when he became the light for the world and our life journeys. Jesus’ epiphany reveals truth’s light that brings vindication and salvation (Isaiah 62:1-5). He embodies God’s steadfast love that guides us during transitions (Psalm 36:5-10). God gives us a community of gifted people with whom we can journey and share our work for the common good (1 Corinthians 12:1-11). The Godhead became manifest in divine power when Jesus changed water into wine at Cana (verse 2; John 2:1-11). This revealed God’s desire to provide abundantly for all people. Christ’s words and actions show us how to follow and serve God throughout the challenging transitions we face during our journeys. For this, we raise our “songs of thankfulness and praise” (verse 1).
Prayer
Manifest God, we thank and praise you for sending your son to be the light for all people. Amidst challenging transitions, please guide us to work together and strive for the common good. Amen.