Ambrose of Milan, Pastor and Hymnwriter

Our devotional reading for the commemoration of Ambrose of Milan is taken from Savior of the Nations—Advent Preaching & Worship Resource with CD-ROM, focusing on the words of one of his beautiful Advent hymns.

Devotional Reading

The ancient Advent hymn “Savior of the Nations, Come” (LSB 332) is rich in biblical imagery. Ambrose of Milan, the original author, certainly reflects in the text a life of deep meditation upon the incarnation, life, death, resurrection, and ascension of our Lord. The hymn unfolds the gift of the incarnation and the meaning of that event for time and eternity. . . .

The hymn beautifully focuses on the two natures of Christ and the full revelation of God in the person of Jesus. . . . To be fully one of us, to share with us in all things, to know no sin, and yet to become sin for us, that is the stuff that causes all creation to fall at His feet and worship. There is no greater love of God than the work of Jesus Christ in rescuing falling creation. Here is the pure Gospel.

Selected Hymn Verses

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

God the Father was His source,
Back to God He ran His course,
Into hell His road went down,
Back then to His throne and crown.

For You are the Father’s Son
Who in flesh the vict’ry won.
By Your mighty pow’r make whole
All our ills of flesh and soul.

Glory to the Father sing,
Glory to the Son, our king,
Glory to the Spirit be
Now and through eternity.

Devotional reading is from Savior of the Nations—Advent Preaching & Worship Resource with CD-ROM, Overview © 2009 Concordia Publishing House. All rights reserved.

Hymn is from How Shall I Meet You: Seven Organ Preludes for Advent © 2016 Concordia Publishing House. All rights reserved.

Hymn verses from LSB 332:1, 5–6, 8. Stanza 1 public domain. Stanzas 5–6, 8 © 1978, 2006 Concordia Publishing House. All rights reserved.