Advent Evening Hymn for December 12

Advent Evening Hymn

8^th Century

 

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 heaven, 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.

 

            This 8^th century prayer introduces an image that is rarely seen in Advent and Christmas writings and prayers: that of Mary’s womb being the bridal chamber.  As noted in the gospels, Christ is to be the bridegroom (Matthew 9), so it truly is in Mary’s womb that his identity begins to develop.

The imagery is inviting, both as Matthew describes for us and as used in the conclusion of the book of Revelation, as the Lamb awaits his bride, the church. “Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready” (Revelations 19:7).  Fine linen, bright and clean – that’s what the bride is wearing, the righteous acts of God’s people (19:8). 

Truly, we who love Jesus long to be his bride, to stand before him forgiven, cleansed, pure.  Not the bride of a baby in the womb, but the bride of the Lamb.  Hallelujah!

 

Prayer Focus: to be the bride of Christ