Advent & the Coming of Christ in Glory, in our lives, and in Bethlehem

Greetings,

      Advent begins; the first season of the new liturgical year of the Church, with its focus on the Comings of Jesus Christ.  We start with the reality of our anticipation of the glorious coming of Christ in victory, to bring all of those who have permitted him to come into their hearts into the Eternal Glory of God.  As we celebrate that Coming of Jesus into our lives, we also prepare to celebrate the Coming, the Incarnation of Christ as Jesus born as one of us in Bethlehem.

      As noted in past years, my years of attending the Roman Catholic Church with my father left a few pieces of Latin rattling around in the attic of my brain (along with a few German carols) and they tend to assert themselves at Christmas and Easter.  Creator of the Stars of Night speaks to the realities of those Comings.  This ancient Evening hymn for Advent was always one of my favorites.  The United Methodist Hymnal, # 692, has two of the verses.  The hymnal includes it under the “Evening” hymns, and I used it regularly when I had evening services.  It is especially the second, third and last verses (not in the hymnal) which emphasize the Advent.  If you don’t like the Plainsong, Mode IV setting for the hymn which is in the hymnal, and which certainly is a more “correct” setting, you can sing it for your devotions to the ever-popular and easier, but much later, “Tallis’ Canon” (#682 in The United Methodist Hymnal).  I do recommend singing it rather than just reading it.

(This is one of those hymns like Silent Night or O Come All Ye Faithful where you always sing the first verse in the original language - somehow it just sounds so much better that way.)

                  Conditor alme siderum

                  Aeterna lux credentium,

                  Christe Redemptor omnium,

                  Exaudi preces supplicum:

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

                  Creator of the stars of night,

                  Your people’s everlasting light,

                  O Christ, Redeemer of us all,

                  We pray you hear us when we call.

                  In sorrow that the ancient curse

                  Should doom to death a universe,   

                  You came, O Savior, to set free

                  Your own in glorious liberty.

                  Come, Sun and Savior, to embrace

                  Our gloomy world, its weary race,

                  As groom to bride, as bride to groom:  

                  The wedding chamber, Mary’s womb.

                  At your great Name, O Jesus, now

                  All knees must bend, all hearts must bow;

                  All things on earth with one accord,

                  Like those in heav’n, shall call you Lord.

                  Come in your holy might, we pray,

                  Redeem us for eternal day;       

                  Defend us while we dwell below,   

                  From all assaults of our dread foe.

(By The Way: I don’t mind sharing seasonal material again, as I love reading much of the material every year, or at least every other year.  Of course, if you mind getting it again, you can let me know.)

Yours & His,

DED