Hymn Verse by Saint Ambrose of Milan (translation by William Morton Reynolds) Savior of the nations, come; virgin's Son, here make thy home! Marvel now, O heaven and earth, that the Lord chose such a birth. This English text has essentially the same meaning as the following choral composition by Johann Sebastian Bach, presented by an orchestra and chorus conducted by Nikolaus Harnoncourt.
Prayer intention for the Third Sunday of Advent
Stir up your power, O Lord, and with great might come among us; and, because we are sorely hindered by our sins, let your bountiful grace and mercy speedily help and deliver us.
From the Gospel According to Luke (3:16-18): John [the Baptizer] answered [the pilgrims at the Jordan River] by saying, "I baptize you with water; but one who is more powerful than I is coming; I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fork is in his hand, to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his granary; but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire."
From the Letter from the Apostle Paul to the Philippians (4:8-9): ... whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. Keep on doing the things that you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, and the God of peace will be with you.
Quotation from Meister Eckhart Meister Eckhart o. p. (c. 1260–c. 1328) For however devoted you are to (God), you may be sure that he is immeasurably more devoted to you.
