Devotional Thoughts Based on the Glory to God Hymnal

Matthew 17:2

And He was transfigured before them, and His face shown like the sun and His clothes became dazzling white.

As the sun is rising and as the sun is setting are two times during the day when the light of the sun can be almost blinding. Noon is another time, but at that hour most of us do not gaze at the sun. Whereas at its rising and setting we are often driving, and its intensity is great.

O Wondrous Sight, O Vision Fair is a hymn setting of the story of The Transfiguration. Jesus had taken Peter, James, and John up a mountain and there Jesus appearance was transfigured. Jesus’ face shone like the sun.

Verse 4 tells of Jesus’ transfiguration:

with shining face and bright array Christ deigns to manifest today what glory shall be theirs above who joy in God with perfect love.

The Glory to God commentator notes:

This translation of an 15^th century Latin devotional text is set here to a majestic 15^th century tune celebrating the victory of an English King: they combine to evoke the awe and wonder of that moment of revelation the three disciples experienced in Christ’s Transfiguration.

Prayer

O God, as the blinding light of the sun stirs us to shield our eyes, so we bow in reverence before our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. “Jesus shines brighter, Jesus shines purer, than all the angel’s heaven can boast.” Amen.