“Oh Wondrous Image, Vision Fair” (ELW 316)
Devotion
Oh, wondrous image, vision fair
of glory that the church may share,
which Christ upon the mountain shows,
where brighter than the sun he glows!
With Moses and Elijah nigh
the'incarnate Lord holds converse high,
and from the cloud, the Holy One
says, "This is my beloved Son."
With shining face and bright array,
Christ deigns to manifest today
what glory shall be theirs above
who joy in God with perfect love.
And faithful hearts are raised on high
by this great vision's mystery;
for which in joyful song we raise
the voice of prayer, the hymn of praise.
O Father, with the'eternal Son,
and Holy Spirit, ever one,
we pray you, bring us by your grace
to see your glory face to face.
The whole of the season of Epiphany is about seeing visions of God's promises made known to us in the gift of God's chosen son, our savior. The season hopes that we will hear again and again the truth for us of the angels' announcement to the shepherds: "For you is born today in the city of David, a Savior, who is Christ, the Lord." It is a truth, but as this hymn reminds us, it is also a mystery so wondrous and profound, that it seems only able to be captured on the lips of song and in the joyful hearts of the faithful who can only lift their voices in prayer and praise. This hymn invites us to join in the vision of joy and praise that has belonged to God's people for many centuries, and then to join in prayer that we too like those disciples on the mountain top, might be granted the gift of seeing God's glory face to face in the face of the Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord.
Prayer
God of Glory and Grace, the wonder of your mercy reaches so far above all our imagination, and yet we pray that you will grant us just a glimpse of your grace in the face of our Savior, Jesus Christ. And that will be enough. Amen.