Sharper Iron — The Hymns of Advent: What Hope! An Eden Prophesied

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Rev. Mark Barz, pastor at Crown of Life Lutheran Church in San Antonio, TX, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Lutheran Service Book #342, “What Hope! An Eden Prophesied.”

This more-recent Advent hymn from Pastor Stephen Starke draws from Isaiah 11 to help us rejoice in the hope of the new creation that is ours because the Savior has come to us. This Savior is the shoot from Jesse’s stem born in Bethlehem, Jesus Christ. He came to suffer and die for our sins on the cross, which now serves as the sign of God’s love for the whole world. Therefore, we pray that Christ would come again to restore Paradise so that we would not be forbidden entry but instead would be welcomed into an open heaven because of Jesus.

“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 342

1 What hope! An Eden prophesied
Where tame live with the wild;
The lamb and lion side by side,
Led by a little child!

2 A shoot will sprout from Jesse’s stem,
A branch fro David’s line,
A Prince of Peace in Bethlehem:
The fruit of God’s design.

3 As banner of God’s love unfurled,
Christ came to suffer loss,
That by His death a dying world
Would rally to the cross.

4 Come, Jesus, come, Messiah Lord,
Lost Paradise restore;
Lead past the angel’s flaming sword—
Come, open heaven’s door.

Text: What Hope! An Eden Prophesied (© 1998 Stephen P. Starke; admin. Concordia Publishing House)
Author: Stephen P. Starke, b. 1955
Tune: CONSOLATION
Arranger: Kevin J. Hildebrand, b. 1973