Nicaea hymn

Tune: Abbots Leigh (878AD)

1

Come, O God, of loving mercy

in these times of unbelief.

Let your holy, sacred, presence,

touch and heal our human grief;

may we see your own true being

manifest before our eyes,

for we need your tender blessing,

answer to our deepest cries.

2

There is one who came from heaven

living, dying, on the earth;

Jesus, heart full of compassion,

finding in each life real worth.

In that precious one among us,

*ho-mo-ou-si-os with you,

stands revealed your loving being,

born of Mary, saviour true.

3

Now we praise you, seen in glory,

God, the Father, here made known,

telling your eternal story,

ever present, always home.

Give us grace to live this Gospel,

in these times when faith is weak;

Jesus’ face reveals your image,

God in fullness, all we seek.

4

Holy Spirit, life bestowing,
coming from the Father’s heart,

in this world of such division,

give us grace to play our part;

bringing peace and living union,

that the world may know your grace,

seeing now your loving nature,

holding all in your embrace.

*’Homoousios’ is the Greek word that made it possible for Christians, in 325CE, to agree a common statement about Jesus Christ. It means ‘of one being’.