One of my favorite Advent hymns is “Wake, Awake…,” which has been called “the king of chorales.” It was composed by a German-Lutheran pastor, Philipp Nicolai (1556-1608). You will find it in the “end times” section of the Lutheran Service Book (#516), but it could just as easily be placed in the "Advent" section, since that season, too, at least in part, has to do with Christ's end-time return.
Nicolai, a graduate of Wittenberg University (class of 1579), was pastor of a Lutheran congregation in Unna, Germany, which fell victim to the plague in 1597-98. A great many people died.
During that fall/winter, Pastor Nicolai wrote a devotional booklet “to leave behind (if God should call me from this world) a token of my peaceful, joyful, Christian departure, or (if God should spare me in health) to comfort other sufferers whom He should also visit with the pestilence….” Three hymns were included in this booklet, including “Wake, Awake” (“Wachet auf”). So, this hymn was composed during a pandemic.
Nicolai looked forward to the Lord’s Second Coming, when disease and death would give way to God's New Creation begun in Jesus Christ.
In our time of plague, maybe we need Pastor Nicolai’s perspective more than ever. The hope for God’s perfect future lifts our eyes from despair, when everything looks dark, and points us to our Coming Savior. Yes, we are shaken and disturbed by what is happening all around us. We are visibly reminded that this fallen creation is not our true and eternal home; we are to be looking for that new creation that is coming. In the meantime, God calls us to keep watch, to wait, and not to lose hope. Soon, the night will be past….
“Wake, Awake…,” is based on the parable of the wise and foolish virgins (Matthew 25.1-13), but it alludes to other Scripture texts as well, including Rev. 19.6-9 and 21.21. Look ‘em up! Here are the hymn's three stanzas:
(1) "Wake, awake, for night is flying," The watchmen on the heights are crying; "Awake, Jerusalem, arise!" Midnight hears the welcome voices And at the thrilling cry rejoices; "Oh, where are ye, ye virgins wise? The Bridegroom comes, awake! Your lamps with gladness take! Allelujah! With bridal care Yourselves prepare To meet the Bridegroom, who is near."
(2) Zion hears the watchmen singing, And all her heart with joy is springing; She wakes, she rises from her gloom. For her Lord comes down all-glorious, The strong in grace, in truth victorious; Her star is ris'n, her light has come. Now come, Thou Blessed One, Lord Jesus, God's own Son, Hail! Hosanna! We enter all The wedding hall To eat the Supper at Thy call.
(3) Now let all the heav'ns adore Thee, Let saints and angels sing before Thee With harp and cymbals' clearest tone. Of one pearl each shining portal, Where, joining with the choir immortal, We gather round Thy radiant throne. No eye has seen the light, No ear has heard the might Of Thy glory; Therefore will we Eternally Sing hymns of praise and joy to Thee!
In my opinion, Christian hymnody doesn’t get any better than this! To hear the hymn sung (and to join in singing it!), go here.
One more thing: Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750), the greatest musician/composer of all time (who also happened to be a Lutheran Christian!), based one of his cantatas on Nicolai’s hymn. To listen to the best online performance of it, go here.
Advent hope be with you!
Addendum (12/18/20): Brian Bartusch, who is the organist for the congregation to which my family and I belong, recently uploaded a video of Bach's piece, "Sleepers Awake, a Voice is Calling" (BWV 645), which is also based on the Nicolai hymn. Here's the link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ffm-oSw9Af8&feature=youtu.be
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