54 Advent

 

1. Savior of the nations come!

Virgin’s Son, make here your home.

Marvel now, both heaven and earth,

that the Lord chose such a birth.

 

2. Wondrous birth! Oh wondrous child

of the Virgin undefiled!

Mighty God and Mary’s son,

eager now his race to run!

 

3. Thus on earth the Word appears,

gracing his created spheres;

hence to death and hell descends,

then the heavenly throne ascends.

 

4. Come, O Father’s saving Son,

who o’er sin the victory won.

Boundless shall your kingdom be;

grant that we its glories see.

 

Words: Martin Luther (1483-1546) after Ambrose of Milan (340-397); tr. William M. Reynolds (1812-1876) and James Waring McGrady (b. 1938) Music:Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland, melody from Erfurt Enchiridia, 1524.