Psalm 80:1, 8a, 9b, 7; Antiphon, Psalm 80:3—
“Restore us, O God; make Your face shine
upon us, that we may be saved.” The whole purpose of Jesus coming into this
world was to save us. In these weeks counting down to Christmas, we remember
that Jesus entered time and space to be our Savior. As He came at just the
right time to redeem us, He will appear at the right time to receive us into
glory. His timing is impeccable; His ways are perfect.
The psalmist prays for the restoration of God’s
people, remembering the deliverance God wrought through Joseph. In Advent, we,
too, pray for restoration—restoration from the bondage of sin. The vine out of
Egypt of verse 8 recalls the flight of the Christ-child into Egypt to avoid
Herod’s persecution. That Vine has taken deep root and filled the land and it
is through Christ, who is the Vine, that we have been restored.
Collect for Psalm 80 - Lord God, you so tend the vine you planted
that now it extends its branches even to the farthest shore. Keep us in your
Son as branches on the vine, that, rooted firmly in your love, we may testify
before the whole world to your great power working everywhere; through Jesus
Christ our Lord. [2]
[1] Image
of the Flight into Egypt, Schnorr von Carolsfeld, woodcuts © WELS Permission to
use these copyrighted items is limited to personal and congregational use.
Advent © Ed Riojas, Higher Things
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