Let Praise Spring From Our Hearts Today

 

A Christmas meditation

For the third day of Christmas

 

LM with Alleuia

Tune: Gelobet seist du, Jesu Christ

Setting: ELH 136

 

1 Let praise spring from our hearts today;

Our God has put His wrath away –

The fullness of the deity

Now dwells in Jesus bodily.  Alleluia!

 

2 If God had hatred in His heart,

Why would He then Himself impart?

If God did not desire our good,

Why does He now wear flesh and blood?  Alleluia!

 

3 Though I of glory fall too short,

Yet here God’s glory shows his heart,

Since how can heaven’s mercy cease

While heaven sings to earth of peace? Alleluia!

 

4 If God were now my enemy,

Why does He condescend to me?

For us and our salvation Christ

Comes down here to be sacrificed.  Alleluia!

 

5 Can my Creator not love me,

When He a creature deigns to be?

The Lord of Glory enters in

Beneath the Law to bear our sin.  Alleluia!

 

6 Here Mary finds her Savior born,

And man from his despair is torn,

As God unites with man’s distress

Beneath the curse the cursed to bless.  Alleluia!

 

7 What is there in your heart so grey,

That Jesus does not take away

By joining all He is to you,

And making his creation new?  Alleluia!

 

8 Humanity now enters God,

As God now tents in flesh and blood,

And our poor nature Jesus lifts

Above the heavens, with his gifts.  Alleluia!

 

9 Come, feast today on God made flesh!

This food shall cleanse you pure and fresh,

And keep you steadfast till the day

When all your sins are purged away.  Alleluia!

 

10 For this our hearts their praise will voice,

And in our Lord and God rejoice,

And join the angel choir to sing

Sweet Alleluias to our King!  Alleluia!

12/27/14