Songs of Thankfulness and Praise, ELW #310
1 Songs of thankfulness and praise, Jesus, Lord, to thee we raise;
Manifested by the star To the sages from afar,
Branch of royal David's stem In the birth at Bethlehem:
Anthems be to thee addressed, God in flesh made manifest.
2 Manifest at Jordan's stream, Prophet, Priest, and King supreme;
And at Cana wedding guest In thy Godhead manifest;
Manifest in power divine, Changing water into wine;
Anthems be to thee addressed, God in flesh made manifest.
3 Manifest in making whole Palsied limbs and fainting soul;
Manifest in valiant fight, Quelling all the devil's might;
Manifest in gracious will, Ever bringing good from ill:
Anthems be to thee addressed, God in flesh made manifest.
4 Grant us grace to see thee, Lord, Present in thy holy Word;
Grace to imitate thee now And be pure, as pure art thou;
That we might become like thee At thy great epiphany,
And may praise thee, ever blest, God in flesh made manifest.
Devotion
When God wants to make God’s self known, God thinks big: a star that rivals the sun, a lame man who can suddenly run and jump, the tangible form of a dove bearing the Holy Spirit, enough fine wine to fill three bathtubs. These signs are meant to get our attention. They’re meant to show us that God is bigger and broader and grander and more powerful than we can imagine.
Yet when God wants to make God’s self known, God also thinks little: a well-needed hug, a rainbow, a few drops of water on a baby’s brow, the sound of sheer silence. These signs are meant to draw us in and surprise us with grace right where we are. They’re meant to remind us that God is closer and gentler and more personal than we can imagine.
God is all around us, in the big things and in the little ones. We just have to open our eyes and look.
Prayer
Open my eyes, God. I want to see you clearly. Make yourself known to me today. Amen.