December 9 Devotional

We were supposed to have Advent Vespers tonight, but due to an inordinately large amount of snow and very cold temperatures, everyone in Lincoln is advised to stay home! I wanted to share with you the devotion and hymn that we would have used tonight if the weather had cooperated!

This is from "O Come Emmanuel" by Gordon Giles, published by Paraclete Press. This is an excellent devotional book based on the hymns of Advent and Christmas.

December 9: The earth was waiting, spent and restless

"I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory about to be revealed to us. For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the children of God; for the creation was subjected to futility, not of its own will but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to decay and will obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. We know that the whole creation has been groaning in labor pains until now; and not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly while we wait for adoption, the redemption of our bodies. For in hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what is seen? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience." ---Romans 8:18-25

And here is the related hymn ... which can be sung to the same tune as "Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence."

Earth was waiting, spent and restless,
with a mingled hope and fear,
faithful men and women praying,
"Surely, Lord, the day is near:
the Desire of all the nations --
it is time he should appear!"

Then the Spirit of the Highest
to a Virgin meek came down,
and he burdened her with blessing,
and he pained her with renown;
for she bore the Lord's Anointed
for his cross and for his crown.

Earth has groaned and labored for him
since the ages first began,
for in him was hid the secret
which through all the ages ran --
Son of Mary, Son of David,
Son of God and Son of Man.

Text: Walter Chalmer Smith (1824-1908)
Music: Picardy. French carol, 1887

O Jesus, Son of Mary, Son of David, bless us when we feel burdened with the cares of the world or pained by the hurts of others, that we may be refreshed by the mystery of your presence among us, and inspired by teh renown of your cross-crowning love, for you are the Son of God, and Son of Man, then, now, and forever. Amen.