Sharper Iron — The Hymns of Advent: Savior of the Nations, Come

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Rev. James Yonkers, pastor at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Danville, IL, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Lutheran Service Book #332, “Savior of the Nations, Come.”

Written in the 300s by Ambrose of Milan, this hymn teaches us to pray that Jesus would come to us as the Savior. He made His home among us in His incarnation, and He still makes His home with us in His Church. The hymn speaks of the humble work of Jesus as the Word made flesh. Fully God, He became fully man when He was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. Jesus ran His course for our salvation through the humility of suffering and death and into the exaltation of resurrection and ascension. Because the Son of God has won this victory in our flesh, we pray for His coming and abide in the light of His Word.

“The Hymns of Advent” is a series on Sharper Iron that looks at a variety of the hymns found in the Advent section Lutheran Service Book. The season of Advent prepares us for Christ’s coming. The hymns of Advent teach that this is more than getting ready for Christmas; the Word of the Lord sung in hymnody helps us to receive Christ as He comes to us now in the means of grace and when He comes again in glory on the Last Day.

Sharper Iron, hosted by Rev. Timothy Appel, looks at the text of Holy Scripture both in its broad context and its narrow detail, all for the sake of proclaiming Christ crucified and risen for sinners. Two pastors engage with God’s Word to sharpen not only their own faith and knowledge, but the faith and knowledge of all who listen.

Sharper Iron is underwritten by Lutheran Church Extension Fund, where your investments help support the work of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. Visit lcef.org.

Lutheran Service Book 332

1 “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.

2 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.

3 Here a maid was found with child,

Yet remained a virgin mild.

In her womb this was shown:

God was there upon His throne.

4 Then stepped forth the Lord of all

From His pure and kingly hall;

God of God, yet fully man,

His heroic course began.

5 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.

6 For You are the Father’s Son

Who in flesh the vic’try won.

By Your mighty pow’r make whole

All our ills of flesh and soul.

7 From the manger newborn light

Shines in glory through the night.

Darkness there no more resides;

In this light faith now abides.

8 Glory to the Father sing,

Glory to the Son, our king,

Glory to the Spirit be

Now and through eternity.”

Text: Savior of the Nations, Come
Author (attributed to): Ambrose of Milan, 340-397
Author (German version): Martin Luther, 1483-1546
Translator (st. 7): Gifford A Grobien, b. 1973
Translator (sts. 1-2): William M. Reynolds, 1812-76
Translator (sts. 4-5, 8): F. Samuel Janzow, 1913-2001
Tune: NUN KOMM, DER HEIDEN HEILAND