Fling Wide the Door (ELW 259, focus on verse 1)
1 Fling wide the door, unbar the gate;
the King of glory comes in state;
the Lord of lords and King of kings,
the Savior of the world who brings
his great salvation to the earth.
So raise a shout of holy mirth
and praise our God and Lord,
Creator, Spirit, Word.
2 He is the rock of our belief,
the heart of mercy’s gentle self.
His kingly crown is holiness;
his scepter is his loveliness;
he brings our sorrows to an end.
Now gladly praise our king and friend,
and worship him with song
for saving us from wrong.
3 Oh, happy towns and blessed lands
that live by their true king’s commands.
And blessed be the hearts he rules,
the humble places where he dwells.
He is the rightful Son of bliss
who fills our lives and makes us his,
creator of the world,
our only strength for good.
4 Come, Lord, our Savior, Jesus Christ;
our hearts are open wide in trust.
Oh, show us now your lovely grace,
upon our sorrows shine your face,
and let your Holy Spirit guide
our journey in your grace so wide.
We praise your holy name,
from age to age the same!
Text: Georg Weissel, 1590-1635; tr. Gracia Grindal, b. 1943
Text © 1978 Lutheran Book of Worship, admin. Augsburg Fortress.
Reprinted under OneLicense.net #A730924
Devotion
When my now-adult daughters come home for a visit, I often wait for them by the front window, watching for their arrival. As the car pulls up, I will go to the door, open it wide, greet them with a hug and a kiss, help them carry things into the house, escort them in, and do my best to welcome them home. I can prepare for and celebrate my daughters’ arrivals because I know what they love, what they expect to see and do, and what they need to be comfortable. As we enter into this time of Advent, looking forward to and preparing for the Christmas “visit” of the Christ child, I invite us to wonder together what might make Jesus feel welcomed, even as he welcomes us with a radical grace and love vastly beyond our simple hospitality.
Prayer
Dear Jesus, we long to welcome you with open arms and hearts every day, but especially now as we prepare to celebrate your birth. Help us to listen to your story deeply, so that we can learn and move confidently into our preparations for your arrival. Amen.