Savior of the Nations, Come

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.

Not by human flesh and blood;
By the Spirit of our God
Was the Word of God made flesh,
Woman’s offspring, pure and fresh.

Wondrous birth! O wondrous Child
Of the virgin undefiled!
Though by all the world disowned,
Still to be in heaven enthroned.

From the Father forth He came
And returneth to the same,
Captive leading death and hell
High the song of triumph swell!

Thou, the Father’s only Son,
Hast over sin the victory won.
Boundless shall Thy kingdom be;
When shall we its glories see?

Brightly doth Thy manger shine,
Glorious is its light divine.
Let not sin o’ercloud this light;
Ever be our faith thus bright.

Praise to God the Father sing,
Praise to God the Son, our King,
Praise to God the Spirit be
Ever and eternally.

Author: Ambrose of Milan

Year: 386

This is an English translation of the Latin hymn 'Veni Redemptor gentium' written by Ambrose (c. 340–397). The most common English version is by Martin Luther (who also adapted it in German as 'Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland' in 1524) or later translators such as William Reynolds or the version in the Lutheran Service Book; however the original author of the text is Ambrose.