Nine Lessons and Carols, Part III: The Second Reading

God promises to faithful Abraham that in his seedshall all the nations of the earth be blessed.

GENESIS 22:15-18(ESV):

15 And the angel of the Lord called to Abraham
a second time from heaven

16 and said,
“By myself I have sworn,
declares the Lord,
because you have done this
and have not withheld your son, your only son,

17 "I will surely bless you,
and I will surely multiply your offspring
as the stars of heaven
and as the sand that is on the seashore.
And your offspring shall possess
the gate of his enemies,

18 "and in your offspring
shall all the nations
of the earth be blessed,
because you have obeyed my voice.”

THANKS BE TO GOD.

~~~~~


JS Bach, BWV 1, "Nun komm der Heiden Heiland"

~~~~~


"Savior of the Nations, Come"

Savior of the nations, come;
Virgin’s Son, here make Thy home!
Marvel now, O heaven and earth,
That the Lord chose such a birth.

Not by human flesh and blood;
By the Spirit of our God
Was the Word of God made flesh,
Woman’s offspring, pure and fresh.

Wondrous birth! O wondrous Child
Of the virgin undefiled!
Though by all the world disowned,
Still to be in heaven enthroned.

From the Father forth He came
And returneth to the same,
Captive leading death and hell
High the song of triumph swell!

Thou, the Father’s only Son,
Hast over sin the victory won.
Boundless shall Thy kingdom be;
When shall we its glories see?

Brightly doth Thy manger shine,
Glorious is its light divine.
Let not sin o’ercloud this light;
Ever be our faith thus bright.

Praise to God the Father sing,
Praise to God the Son, our King,
Praise to God the Spirit be
Ever and eternally.

~~~~~

[The German carol, "Nun komm der Heiden Heiland," carries the English versification, "Savior of the Nations, Come." The text given for "Savior of the Nations, Come" is a different translation than the video. Also, all verses are given here, and select stanzas are used in the video.]