ADVENT.

Comfort, comfort ye My people, Speak ye peace, thus saith your God; Comfort those who sit in darkness, Mourning ’neath their sorrow’s load; Speak ye to Jerusalem Of the peace that waits for them; Tell her that her sins I cover, And her warfare now is over. 2. For the Herald’s voice is crying In the desert far and near, Bidding all men to repentance, Since the kingdom now is here. Oh, that warning cry obey! Now prepare for God a way! Let the valleys rise to meet Him And the hills bow down to greet Him. 3. Make ye straight what long was crooked, Make the rougher places plain; Let your hearts be true and humble, As befits His holy reign; For the glory of the Lord Now o’er earth is shed abroad, And all flesh shall see the token That His Word is never broken.

Jesus came, the heav’ns adoring, Came with peace from realms on high; Jesus came for man’s redemption, Lowly came on earth to die; Alleluia! Alleluia! Came in deep humility. 2. Jesus comes again in mercy, When our hearts are bowed with care; Jesus comes again in answer To an earnest, heartfelt prayer; Alleluia! Alleluia! Comes to save us from despair. 3. Jesus comes to hearts rejoicing, Bringing news of sins forgiv’n; Jesus comes in sounds of gladness, Leading souls redeemed to heav’n; Alleluia! Alleluia! Now the gate of death is riv’n. 4. Jesus comes in joy and sorrow, Shares alike our hopes and fears; Jesus comes, whate’er befalls us, Glads our hearts and dries our tears; Alleluia! Alleluia! Cheering e’en our failing years. 5. Jesus comes on clouds triumphant When the heavens shall pass away; Jesus comes again in glory, Let us, then, our homage pay, Alleluia! ever singing Till the dawn of endless day.

Hail to the Lord’s Anointed, Great David’s greater Son! Hail, in the time appointed, His reign on earth begun! He comes to break oppression, To set the captive free, To take away transgression, And rule in equity. 2. He comes with succor speedy To those who suffer wrong, To help the poor and needy, And bid the weak be strong; To give them songs for sighing, Their darkness turn to light, Whose souls, condemned and dying, Were precious in His sight. 3. He shall come down like showers Upon the fruitful earth; And love, joy, hope, like flowers, Spring in His path to birth. Before Him on the mountains Shall peace, the herald, go, And righteousness, in fountains, From hill to valley flow. 4. To Him shall prayer unceasing And daily vows ascend, His kingdom still increasing, A kingdom without end. The tide of time shall never His covenant remove; His name shall stand forever,— That name to us is Love.

Hark! a thrilling voice is sounding: “Christ is nigh!” it seems to say; “Cast away the dreams of darkness, O ye children of the day!” 2. Startled at the solemn warning, Let the earth-bound soul arise; Christ, her Sun, all sloth dispelling, Shines upon the morning skies. 3. Lo, the Lamb, so long expected, Comes with pardon down from heav’n. Let us haste, with tears of sorrow, One and all, to be forgiv’n. 4. So, when next He comes with glory, Wrapping all the earth in fear, With His mercy He may shield us And with words of love draw near.

The Bridegroom soon will call us: Come, all ye wedding-guests! May not His voice appall us While slumber binds our breasts! May all our lamps be burning And oil be found in store, That we, with Him returning, May open find the door! 2. There shall we see delighted Our dear Redeemer’s face, Who leads our souls benighted To glory by His grace; The patriarchs shall meet us, The prophets’ holy band, Apostles, martyrs, greet us In that celestial land. 3. They will not blush to own us As brothers, sisters dear, Love ever will be shown us When we with them appear. We all shall come before Him Who for us man became, As Lord and God adore Him, And ever bless His name. 4. Our Father, rich in blessing, Will give us crowns of gold And, to His bosom pressing, Impart a bliss untold, Will welcome with embraces Of never-ending love, And deck us with His graces In blissful realms above. 5. In yonder home shall never Be silent music’s voice; With hearts and lips forever We shall in God rejoice. The angels shall adore Him, All saints shall sing His praise, And bring with joy before Him Their sweetest heavenly lays. 6. In mansions fair and spacious Will God the feast prepare And, ever kind and gracious, Bid us its riches share; There bliss that knows no measure From springs of love shall flow, And never-changing pleasure His bounty will bestow. 7. Thus God shall from all evil Forever make us free, From sin and from the devil, From all adversity, From sickness, pain, and sadness, From troubles, cares, and fears, And grant us heavenly gladness, And wipe away our tears.

Come, Thou precious Ransom, come! Only Hope for sinful mortals! Come, O Savior of the world! Open are to Thee all portals; Come, Thy beauty let us see: Anxiously we wait for Thee. 2. O great King of Glory, come! Let me be Thy living temple; Enter Thou into my heart; Though I am but poor and simple, Yet my riches then shall be That Thou reignest, Lord, in me. 3. My hosannas and my palms Graciously receive, I pray Thee; Evermore, as best I can, Savior, I will homage pay Thee, And in faith I will embrace, Lord, Thy merit through Thy grace. 4. Hail! Hosanna! David’s Son, Help, Lord, hear our supplication! Let Thy kingdom, scepter, crown Bring us blessing and salvation That forever we may sing: Hail! Hosanna! to our King.

O Lord, how shall I meet Thee, How welcome Thee aright? All nations long to greet Thee, My Hope, my heart’s Delight! O kindle, dearest Jesus, Thy lamp within my breast That I may know what pleases Thee, Lord, my heav’nly Guest. 2. Thy Zion strews before Thee Green boughs and fairest palms, And I, too, will adore Thee With sweetest songs and psalms. My heart shall bloom forever For Thee with praises new And from Thy name shall never Withhold the honor due. 3. What hast Thou left ungranted To give me glad relief? When soul and body panted In utmost depth of grief, In deepest degradation, Devoid of joy and peace, Then Thou, my soul’s Salvation, Didst come to bring release. 4. I lay in fetters groaning, Thou com’st to set me free; I stood, my shame bemoaning, Thou com’st to honor me; A glory Thou dost give me, A treasure safe on high, That will not fail or leave me As earthly riches fly. 5. Naught, naught, dear Lord, could move Thee To leave Thy rightful place Save love, for which I love Thee; A love that could embrace A world where sorrow dwelleth, Which sin and suffering fill, More than the tongue e’er telleth;— Yet Thou couldst love it still! 6. Rejoice, then, ye sad-hearted, Who sit in deepest gloom, Who mourn o’er joys departed And tremble at your doom. Despair not, He is near you, Yea, standing at the door, Who best can help and cheer you And bid you weep no more. 7. No care nor effort either Is needed day or night How ye may draw Him hither In your own strength and might. He comes, He comes with gladness, Moved by His love alone, To calm your fear and sadness, To Him they well are known. 8. Sin’s debt, that fearful burden, Let not your souls distress; Your guilt the Lord will pardon And cover with His grace. He comes, He comes, procuring The peace of sin forgiv’n, To all God’s sons securing Their part and lot in heav’n. 9. Why should the wicked move you? Heed not their craft and spite! Your Savior, who doth love you, Will scatter all their might. He comes, a King most glorious, And all His earthly foes In vain His course victorious Endeavor to oppose. 10. He comes to judge the nations, A terror to His foes, A Light of consolations And blessed Hope to those Who love the Lord’s appearing. O glorious Sun, now come, Send forth Thy beams so cheering And guide us safely home!

The Advent of our God Our prayers must now employ, And we must meet Him on His road With hymns of holy joy. 2. The everlasting Son Incarnate deigns to be; Himself a servant’s form puts on To set His people free. 3. Daughter of Zion, rise And greet thy lowly King, And do not wickedly despise The mercies He will bring. 4. As Judge, in clouds of light, He will come down again And all His scattered saints unite With Him in heaven to reign. 5. Before that dreadful day May all our sins be gone; May the old man be put away And the new man put on! 6. Praise to the Savior Son From the created host; Like praise be to the Father done And to the Holy Ghost.

Lift up your heads, ye mighty gates! Behold, the King of Glory waits; The King of kings is drawing near, The Savior of the world is here; Life and salvation He doth bring, Wherefore rejoice and gladly sing: We praise Thee, Father, now, Creator, wise art Thou! 2. The Lord is just, a Helper tried, Mercy is ever at His side, His kingly crown is holiness, His scepter, pity in distress; The end of all our woe He brings, Wherefore the earth is glad and sings: We praise Thee, Savior, now, Mighty in deed art Thou! 3. O blest the land, the city blest, Where Christ, the Ruler, is confessed! O happy hearts and happy homes To whom this King in triumph comes! The cloudless Sun of Joy He is, Who bringeth pure delight and bliss. We praise Thee, Spirit, now, Our Comforter art Thou! 4. Fling wide the portals of your heart, Make it a temple set apart From earthly use for heaven’s employ, Adorned with prayer and love and joy; So shall your Sovereign enter in And new and nobler life begin. To Thee, O God, be praise For word and deed and grace! 5. Redeemer, come! I open wide My heart to Thee; here, Lord, abide! Let me Thy inner presence feel, Thy grace and love in me reveal; Thy Holy Spirit guide us on Until our glorious goal be won! Eternal praise and fame We offer to Thy name.

Hark the glad sound! the Savior comes, The Savior promised long; Let every heart prepare a throne And every voice a song. 2. He comes the prisoners to release, In Satan’s bondage held; The gates of brass before Him burst, The iron fetters yield. 3. He comes from thickest films of vice To clear the mental ray And on the eyeballs of the blind To pour the heav’nly day. 4. He comes the broken heart to bind, The bleeding soul to cure And with the treasures of His grace T’ enrich the humble poor. 5. Our glad hosannas, Prince of Peace, Thy welcome shall proclaim. And heaven’s eternal arches ring With Thy beloved name.

Again is come the new church-year; Rejoice, all Christians, far and near! Thy King, O Zion, comes to Thee, Therefore rejoice eternally! Hallelujah! 2. Amongst us now anew are heard The lessons of God’s gracious Word, Which shows the way to life in heaven. For this all praise to God be given! Hallelujah! 3. May what is taught in Thy true Word Increase our faith in Thee, O Lord, And so abide in us that we May render endless praise to Thee! Hallelujah!

Savior of the heathen, come, Virgin’s Son, here make Thy home! Wonder at it, heaven and earth, That the Lord chose such a birth. 2. Not by human flesh and blood, By the Spirit of our God Was the Word of God made flesh— Woman’s blossom, sweet and fresh. 3. Though the virgin was with child, Chastity proved undefiled; Many a virtue rare forth shone, God was there upon His throne. 4. From the Father forth He came And returned unto the same; Down to hell He went alone And again to God’s high throne. 5. Thou, the Father’s equal, win Victory in the flesh o’er sin, By Thy strength divine, O Lord, Help to our frail flesh afford. 6. Lord, Thy manger is so bright, Night sends forth a novel light; Darkness must not enter there, Faith abides in light fore’er. 7. Praise to God the Father sing, Praise to God the Son, our King, Praise to God the Spirit be Ever and eternally.

Arise, sons of the kingdom! The King is drawing nigh; Arise and hail with gladness The Ruler from on high. Ye Christians, hasten forth! Your praise and homage bring Him And glad hosannas sing Him; Naught else your love is worth. 2. Arise, ye drooping mourners! The King is very near; Away with grief and sorrow! For, lo! your Help is here. Behold, in many a place— O blessed consolation!— We find Him, our Salvation, In His pure means of grace. 3. Now hear, ye bold transgressors, The King full well gives heed To all that ye are doing, And to the life ye lead, Enthralled by sin and hell; There’s naught in all creation Escapes His observation, He marketh all things well. 4. Be righteous, ye His subjects, The King is just and true; Prepare for Him a highway, Make all things straight and new. He means all for our good; Then let us bear the crosses Which He Himself imposes In an undaunted mood. 5. He nevermore forsaketh A child that feels the rod, Who Him his Refuge maketh And puts his trust in God. He is our sovereign King; E’en death itself shall never Those from their Master sever Who to His mercy cling. 6. Arise, ye faint and fearful! The King now comes with might; His heart hath long since loved us, He makes our darkness light. Now are our sorrows o’er; No wrath shall e’er befall us, Since God in grace doth call us His children evermore. 7. The King in grace remembers His loved ones here below With gifts of royal treasures, Yea, doth Himself bestow Through His blest Word and grace. O King, arrayed in splendor, To Thee all praise we’ll render Here and there face to face. 8. O rich the gifts Thou bring’st us, Thyself made poor and weak; O Love beyond expression That thus can sinners seek! For this, O Lord, will we Our joyous tribute bring Thee And glad hosannas sing Thee And ever grateful be.

Once He came in blessing, All our ills redressing, Came in likeness lowly, Son of God most holy; Bore the cross to save us, Hope and freedom gave us. 2. Still He comes within us, Still His voice would win us From the sins that hurt us; Would to Truth convert us From our foolish errors, Ere He comes in terrors. 3. Thus, if thou hast known Him, Not ashamed to own Him, Nor dost love Him coldly, But wilt trust Him boldly, He will now receive thee, Heal thee, and forgive thee. 4. He who well endureth Bright reward secureth. Come then, O Lord Jesus, From our sins release us; Let us here confess Thee Till in heaven we bless Thee.

Jesus, Thy Church with longing eyes For Thine expected coming waits: When will the promised light arise, And glory beam from Zion’s gates? 2. E’en now, when tempests round us fall And wintry clouds o’ercast the sky, Thy words with pleasure we recall And deem that our redemption’s nigh. 3. Come, gracious Lord, our hearts renew, Our foes repel, our wrongs redress, Man’s rooted enmity subdue, And crown Thy Gospel with success. 4. O come and reign o’er every land; Let Satan from his throne be hurled, All nations bow to Thy command, And grace revive a dying world. 5. Teach us in watchfulness and prayer To wait for the appointed hour And fit us by Thy grace to share The triumphs of Thy conquering power.