Celebrating Advent really for 1st time!

[ReturningToRome]

We had this hymn for our opening hymn:
Savior of the Nations, Come

Savior of the nations, come,
Virgin’s Son, make here Your home!
Marvel now, O heav’n and earth,
That the Lord chose such a birth.

Not by human flesh and blood,
By the Spirit of our God,
Was the Word of God made flesh–
Woman’s offspring, pure and fresh.

Here a maid was found with child,
Yet remained a virgin mild.
In her womb this truth was shown:
God was there upon His throne.

Then stepped forth the Lord of all
From His pure and kingly hall;
God of God, yet fully man,
His heroic course began.

God the Father was His source,
Back to God He ran His course.
Into hell His road went down,
Back then to His throne and crown.

For you are the Father’s Son
Who in flesh the vict’ry won.
By Your mighty pow’r make whole
All our ills of flesh and soul.

From the manger newborn light
Shines in glory through the night.
Darkness there no more resides;
In this light faith now abides.

Glory to the Father sing,
Glory to the Son, our king,
Glory to the Spirit be
Now and through eternity. (Lutheran Service Book, 332)

I love this hymn too! I was just looking for its roots - did you know the original Latin text is by St. Ambrose? I am looking at it now through Catholic eyes, having been a Lutheran for many years. Did you notice how much honor is given to the Virgin Mother? Notice in sanzas 3 and 4 the purity of her sinless state,“In her womb this truth was shown: God was there upon His throne.Then stepped forth the Lord of all From His pure and kingly hall” Mary was conceived without sin, as the Catholic Church teaches, that she might be the very Throne Room of God.

 

[batman1973]

This is my first advent as well. Liturgical churches are awesome!