1. Creator of the stars of night,
your people's everlasting light,
O Christ, redeemer of us all,
we pray you hear us when we call.
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I never looked forward to that night; in fact, I dreaded it. Growing up in north Florida, every summer I attended a week of church camp. One night each week, we'd sleep outside in the middle of Kelly Field. The mosquitoes were terrible. The horse flies were pretty bad, too. Sometimes it rained. For a city boy, it was just weird sleeping without a roof over my head. But those stars! Every year I was stunned again by their beauty.
During those nights, staring up at the stars, it was hard even to close my eyes. I hated to shut out the grandeur. My heart raced with the sight of them. Bugs and all, it was worth it.
O God, our maker, your creation shines in glory. Guide us this Advent as we seek your everlasting light. Amen.
Adam Copeland
Director of Stewardship Leadership, Luther Seminary
"Creator of the stars of night" by Unknown author, 7th Century (Conditor alme siderum); translated from Latin to English by John M. Neale in the Hymnal Noted, 1852.
Creator of the stars of night,
1. Thy people’s everlasting light,
Jesu, Redeemer, save us all,
And hear Thy servants when they call.
Thou, grieving that the ancient curse
2. Should doom to death a universe,
Hast found the medicine, full of grace,
To save and heal a ruined race.
Thou cam’st, the Bridegroom of the bride,
3. As drew the world to evening-tide;
Proceeding from a virgin shrine,
The spotless Victim all divine.
At Whose dread Name, majestic now,
4. All knees must bend, all hearts must bow;
And things celestial Thee shall own,
And things terrestrial, Lord alone.
O Thou Whose coming is with dread
5. To judge and doom the quick and dead,
Preserve us, while we dwell below,
From every insult of the foe.
6. To God the Father, God the Son,
And God the Spirit, Three in One,
Laud, honor, might, and glory be
From age to age eternally.
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