Advent Hymns


Before December 17

After December 17

Office of Readings
The Coming of Our God




Before December 17

Advent Hymns for Morning Prayer


 
Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus
Hear the Herald Voice Resounding
The King of Glory Comes
Wake, Awake, the Night Is Dying
Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus
Tune
Come, Thou long expected Jesus
Born to set Thy people free;
From our fears and sins release us,
Let us find our rest in Thee.
Israel’s Strength and Consolation,
Hope of all the earth Thou art;
Dear Desire of every nation,
Joy of every longing heart.

Born Thy people to deliver,
Born a child and yet a King,
Born to reign in us forever,
Now Thy gracious kingdom bring.
By Thine own eternal Spirit
Rule in all our hearts alone;
By Thine all sufficient merit,
Raise us to Thy glorious throne.
Text: Charles Wesley; Melody: Stuttgart 87.87, C.F. Witt

Hear the Herald Voice Resounding
Tune
Hear the herald voice resounding:
“Christ is near,” it seems to say,
Cast away the dreams of darkness,
Welcome Christ, the light of day!”

Wakened by this solemn warning,
Let the earthbound soul arise;
Christ her sun, all sloth dispelling,
Shines upon the morning skies.

See the Lamb so long expected,
Comes with pardon down from heav’n;
Hasten now, with tears of sorrow,
One and all to be forgiv’n.

So when next he comes with glory,
Shrouding all the earth in fear,
May he then as our defender
On the clouds of heav’n appear.

Honor, glory, virtue, merit,
To the Father and the Son,
With the co-eternal Spirit,
While eternal ages run.
Text: Vox clara ecce intonat, 6th Century; Translator: E. Caswall, 1814-1878; Melody: Merton 87.87, W.H. Monk, 1889

The King of Glory Comes
Tune

Refrain
The King of glory comes, the nation rejoices.
Open the gates before Him, lift up your voices.

Who is the King of glory: what shall we call Him?
He is Emmanuel, the promised of ages.

Refrain

In all of Galilee, in city or village,
He goes among his people, curing their illness.

Refrain

Sing then of David’s son, our Savior and brother,
In all of Galilee was never another.

Refrain

He gave His life for us, the pledge of salvation,
He took upon Himself the sins of the nation.

Refrain

He conquered sin and death; he truly has risen,
And He will share with us his heavenly vision.
Text: W.F. Jabusch; Melody: Israeli Folksong

Wake, Awake, the Night Is Dying
Tune
Wake, awake, the night is dying,
And prophets from old are crying:
Awake, ye children of the light!
Lo, the Dawn shall banish sadness,
The Rising Sun shall bring us gladness
And all the blind shall see aright.

Refrain:
Rejoice, the King is near,
Our praises he will hear,
Alleluia!
But we must be prepared to see
The Brightness of eternity.

We shall heed the prophets’ warning,
And rise to greet the Prince of Morning:
His gentle rule shall bring us peace.
Love and mercy are his treasure,
The seas and skies obey his pleasure;
His mighty rule shall never cease.

Refrain
 
Let the shadows be forsaken,
The time has come for us to waken,
And to the Day our lives entrust.
Search the sky for heaven’s portal:
The clouds shall rain the Light Immortal,
And earth will soon bud forth the Just.

Refrain

Text: Melvin Farrell; Melody: Wachert Auf 898.898.664.448, Philip Nicolai, 1599


Advent Hymns for Evening Prayer
Before December 17

 
Creator of the Stars of Night
Behold a Rose of Judah
Rorate Coeli
O Come, O Come, Emmanuel
Creator of the Stars of Night
Tune
Creator of the stars of night,
your people's everlasting light,
O Christ, Redeemer of us all,
we pray you hear us when we call.

In sorrow that the ancient curse
should doom to death a universe,
you came, O Savior, to set free
your own in glorious liberty.

At your great Name, O Jesus, now
all knees must bend, all hearts must bow;
all things on earth with one accord,
like those in heaven, know you are Word.

To God the Father, God the Son,
and God the Spirit, Three in one,
praise, honor, might, and glory be
from age to age eternally.
Melody: Conditor Alme Siderum 7.7.7.7; Text: Anonymous, 7th Century

Rorate Coeli

From the R.K. Choir Joachim (video here; chant notation here)

 R./ Rorate Coeli desuper
et nubes pluant justum

R./ Drop down ye heavens from above
and let the skies pour down righteousness

Ne irascaris Domine, ne ultra memineris iniquitatis
Ecce civitas Sancti facta est deserta
Sion deserta facta est: Jerusalem desolata est
Domus sanctificationis tuae et gloriae tuae
Ubi laudaverunt te patres nostri.

R./ Rorate Coeli desuper
et nubes pluant justum

Be not angry Lord neither remember iniquity forever
thy holy cities are a wilderness
Sion is a wilderness, Jerusalem a desolation
our holy and our beautiful house
where our fathers praised thee.

R./ Drop down ye heavens from above
and let the skies pour down righteousness

Peccavimus, et facti sumus tamquam immundus nos
Et cecidimus, quasi folium universi
Et iniquitates nostrae quasi ventus abstulerunt nos
Abscondisti faciem tuam a nobis
Et allisisti nos in manu iniquitatis nostrae.

R./ Rorate Coeli desuper
et nubes pluant justum

We have sinned and are unclean
and we all fade like a leaf
and our iniquities have taken us away like the wind
you have hidden your face from us
and have consumed us because of our iniquities

R./ Drop down ye heavens from above
and let the skies pour down righteousness

Vide Domine afflictionem populi tui
Et mitte quem missurus es
Emitte Agnum dominatorem terrae
De petra deserti ad montem filiae Sion
Ut auferat ipse jugum captivitatis nostrae.

R./ Rorate Coeli desuper
et nubes pluant justum

Behold, O Lord, the affliction of thy people
and send forth Him who is to come
send forth the Lamb, the ruler of the earth from Petra of the desert to the mount of the daughter of Sion
that He may take away the yoke of our captivity

R./ Drop down ye heavens from above
and let the skies pour down righteousness

Consolamini, consolamini, popule meus
Cito veniet salus tua: Quare moerore consumeris
Quia innovavit te dolor? Salvabo te,noli timere
Ego enim sum Dominus Deus tuus,
Sanctus Israel, redemptor.

R./ Rorate Coeli desuper
et nubes pluant justum

Comfort ye, comfort ye my people
my salvation shall come quickly: I have blotted out
as a thick cloud my transgressions. Fear not for I will save you
for I am the lord your God
the Holy One of Israel, your redeemer.

R./ Drop down ye heavens from above
and let the skies pour down righteousness
O Come, O Come, Emmanuel
Tune

VENI veni, Emmanuel
captivum solve Israel,
qui gemit in exsilio,
privatus Dei Filio.

R./ Gaude! Gaude! Emmanuel,
nascetur pro te Israel!

O COME, O come, Emmanuel,
and ransom captive Israel,
that morns in lonely exile here
until the Son of God appear.

R./ Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel,
shall come to thee, O Israel!

Veni, O Sapientia,
quae hic disponis omnia,
veni, viam prudentiae
ut doceas et gloriae. R./

O come, Thou Wisdom, from on high,
and order all things far and nigh;
to us the path of knowledge show,
and teach us in her ways to go. R./

Veni, veni, Adonai,
qui populo in Sinai
legem dedisti vertice
in maiestate gloriae. R./

O come, o come, Thou Lord of might,
who to thy tribes on Sinai's height
in ancient times did give the law,
in cloud, and majesty, and awe. R./

Veni, O Iesse virgula,
ex hostis tuos ungula,
de spectu tuos tartari
educ et antro barathri. R./

O come, Thou Rod of Jesse's stem,
from ev'ry foe deliver them
that trust Thy mighty power to save,
and give them vict'ry o'er the grave. R./

Veni, Clavis Davidica,
regna reclude caelica,
fac iter tutum superum,
et claude vias inferum. R./

O come, Thou Key of David, come,
and open wide our heav'nly home,
make safe the way that leads on high,
that we no more have cause to sigh. R./

Veni, veni O Oriens,
solare nos adveniens,
noctis depelle nebulas,
dirasque mortis tenebras. R./

O come, Thou Dayspring from on high,
and cheer us by thy drawing nigh;
disperse the gloomy clouds of night
and death's dark shadow put to flight. R./

Veni, veni, Rex Gentium,
veni, Redemptor omnium,
ut salvas tuos famulos
peccati sibi conscios. R./

O come, Desire of the nations, bind
in one the hearts of all mankind;
bid every strife and quarrel cease
and fill the world with heaven's peace. R./

Advent Hymn for the Office of Readings
Before December 17

 
On Jordan's Bank the Baptist's Cry
Tune
On Jordan's bank the Baptist's cry
announces that the Lord is nigh;
awake and hearken, for he brings
glad tidings of the King of kings.

Then cleansed be every breast from sin;
make straight the way for God within,
prepare we in our hearts a home
where such a mighty Guest may come.

For thou art our salvation, Lord,
our refuge and our great reward;
without thy grace we waste away
like flowers that wither and decay.

All praise, eternal Son, to thee,
whose advent doth thy people free;
whom with the Father we adore
and Holy Ghost for evermore.
Text: Charles Coffin, 1736; Melody: Winchester, Hamburg, 1690

After December 17


Morning Prayer


Behold a Virgin Bearing Him
Tune
Behold a virgin bearing him
Who comes to save us from our sin;
The prophets cry: prepare his way!
Make straight his paths to Christmas Day.

Behold our Hope and Life and Light,
The promise of the holy night;
We lift our prayer and bend our knee
To his great love and majesty.
Text: Michael Gannon; Melody: O Heiland Reis, Rheinfels Gesangbuch, 1666


Evening Prayer

Behold a rose of Judah
Tune
Behold a rose of Judah
From tender branch has sprung,
From Jesse’s lineage coming,
As men of old have sung.
It came a flower bright
Amid the cold of winter
When half spent was the night.

Isaiah has foretold it,
In words of promise sure,
And Mary’s arms enfold it,
A Virgin meek and pure.
Through God’s eternal will
She bore to men a Savior
At midnight calm and still.
Text: 15th Century; Melody: Es Ist Ein Ros Entsprungen

O Come, O Come, Emmanuel
Tune

VENI veni, Emmanuel
captivum solve Israel,
qui gemit in exsilio,
privatus Dei Filio.

R./ Gaude! Gaude! Emmanuel,
nascetur pro te Israel!

O COME, O come, Emmanuel,
and ransom captive Israel,
that morns in lonely exile here
until the Son of God appear.

R./ Rejoice! Rejoice! O Israel,
to thee shall come Emmanuel!

Veni, O Sapientia,
quae hic disponis omnia,
veni, viam prudentiae
ut doceas et gloriae. R./

O come, Thou Wisdom, from on high,
and order all things far and nigh;
to us the path of knowledge show,
and teach us in her ways to go. R./

Veni, veni, Adonai,
qui populo in Sinai
legem dedisti vertice
in maiestate gloriae. R./

O come, o come, Thou Lord of might,
who to thy tribes on Sinai's height
in ancient times did give the law,
in cloud, and majesty, and awe. R./

Veni, O Iesse virgula,
ex hostis tuos ungula,
de spectu tuos tartari
educ et antro barathri. R./

O come, Thou Rod of Jesse's stem,
from ev'ry foe deliver them
that trust Thy mighty power to save,
and give them vict'ry o'er the grave. R./

Veni, Clavis Davidica,
regna reclude caelica,
fac iter tutum superum,
et claude vias inferum. R./

O come, Thou Key of David, come,
and open wide our heav'nly home,
make safe the way that leads on high,
that we no more have cause to sigh. R./

Veni, veni O Oriens,
solare nos adveniens,
noctis depelle nebulas,
dirasque mortis tenebras. R./

O come, Thou Dayspring from on high,
and cheer us by thy drawing nigh;
disperse the gloomy clouds of night
and death's dark shadow put to flight. R./

Veni, veni, Rex Gentium,
veni, Redemptor omnium,
ut salvas tuos famulos
peccati sibi conscios. R./

O come, Desire of the nations, bind
in one the hearts of all mankind;
bid every strife and quarrel cease
and fill the world with heaven's peace. R./

Office of Readings

The Coming of Our God
Tune
The coming of our God
To fill the world with peace
Should make us raise our voices high
In songs that never cease.

As judge on clouds of light,
Again will he descend
And all his members then unite
In joys that never end.

And now to us today
His saving acts he brings.
In Eucharistic mystery
Come quickly, Kings of kings!
Melody: St. Thomas S.M., Aaron Williams 1763; Text: Charles Coffin, 1736


The Coming of Our God
Tune

The coming of our God
Our thoughts must now employ:
Then let us meet him on the road
With songs of holy joy.

The co-eternal Son
A maiden's offspring see:
A servant's form Christ putteth on,
To make his people free.

Daughet of Sion, rise
To greet thine infant-King,
And do not thanklessly despise
The pardon he doth bring.

In glory from his throne
Again will Christ descend,
And summon all that are his own
To joys that never end.

Let deeds of darkness fly
Before the approaching morn,
For onto sin 'tis ours to die,
And serve the Virgin-horn.

Our joyful praises sing
To Christ, that set us free;
Like tribute to the Father bring,
And, Holy Ghost, to thee.


O Savior, open heaven wide
Tune
O Savior, open heaven wide;
And once again, this Advent-tide,
Unbar the portals, Lord, we pray,
That hold you back from us today.

Awake, O earth, break forth in Swpring!
To crown this great awakening,
Bloom once again, O Flow'r divine
And brightest Son of Jesse's line.

Then praise and homage we will bring
To you, our Savior, God and King;
And we will bless you and adore
For ever and for ever more.

Gabriel's Message
Tune
The angel Gabriel from Heaven came,
His wings as drifted snow, his eyes as flame;
“All hail,” said he, “thou lowly maiden Mary,
Most highly favored lady,” Gloria!

“For know a blessèd mother thou shalt be,
All generations laud and honor thee,
Thy Son shall be Emmanuel, by seers foretold,
Most highly favored lady,” Gloria!

Then gentle Mary meekly bowed her head,
“To me be as it pleaseth God,” she said,
“My soul shall laud and magnify His holy Name.”
Most highly favored lady, Gloria!

Of her, Emmanuel, the Christ, was born
In Bethlehem, all on a Christmas morn,
And Christian folk throughout the world will ever say—
“Most highly favored lady,” Gloria!

Lo! he comes, with clouds descending
Tune
Lo! he comes, with clouds descending,
once for our salvation slain;
thousand thousand saints attending
swell the triumph of his train:
Alleluia! alleluia! alleluia!
Christ the Lord returns to reign.

Those dear tokens of his passion
still his dazzling body bears,
cause of endless exultation
to his ransomed worshipers;
with what rapture, with what rapture, with what rapture
gaze we on those glorious scars!

Yea, amen! let all adore thee,
high on thine eternal throne;
Savior, take the power and glory;
claim the kingdom for thine own:
Alleluia! alleluia! alleluia!
Thou shalt reign, and thou alone.


 
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