Simple Short Daily Prayer Books Series Book 2

Advent Season Christian Songs P3

Hymn 337: The Night Will Soon Be Ending
Text: Jochen Klepper, 1903-42; tr. Herman G. Stuempfle, Jr., b. 1923
Music: Welsh; setting: Ralph Vaughan Williams, 1872-1958, alt.

Verse 1: The night will soon be ending; the dawn cannot be far.
Let songs of praise ascending now greet the Morning Star!
All you whom darkness frightens with grief or guilt or pain
God's radiant Star now brightens and bids you sing again.

Verse 2: The One whom angels tended comes near a child to serve
Thus God the judge of offended bears all our sins deserve.
The guilty need not cower for God has reconciled through His redemptive power
All those who trust this child.

Verse 3: The earth in sure rotation will soon bring morning bright.
So run where God's salvation glows in a stable's light.
As old as sin's perversion is mercy's vast design.
God brings new creation—This child its seal and sign.

Verse 4: Yet nights will bring their sadness and rob our hearts of peace
And sin in all its madness around us may increase.
But now one Star is beaming whose rays have pierced the night.
God comes for our redeeming from sin's oppressive might.

Verse 5: God dwells with us in darkness
And makes the night as day
Yet we resist the brightness
And turn from God away.
But grace does not forsake us
However far we run.
God claims us still as children
Through Mary's infant Son.

Hymn 338: Come Thou Long Expected Jesus
Text: Charles Wesley 1707-88
Tune: Southern Harmony New Haven 1835.

Verse 1: 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 ev'ry nation Joy of ev'ry longing heart.

Verse 2: 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.

Hymn 341: Lift Up Your Heads Ye Mighty Gates
Text: Georg Weissel, 1590-1635; translation: Catherine Winkworth 1827-78,
Music: Gelst-reiches Gesang-Buch, Halle, 1704, ed. Johann A. Freylinghausen alt.

Verse 1: 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 therefore rejoice and gladly sing.
To God the Father raise your joyful songs of praise.

Verse 2: A righteous Helper comes to thee; His chariot is humility.
His kingly crown is holiness; His scepter pity in distress.
The end of all our woe He brings therefore the earth is glad and sings
To Christ the Savior raise your grateful hymns of praise.

Verse 3: How blest the land the city blest where Christ the ruler is confessed!
O peaceful hearts and happy homes to whom the King in triumph comes!
The cloudless sun of joy is He who comes to set His people free.
To God the Spirit raise your happy shouts of praise.

Verse 4: Fling wide the portals of your heart make it a temple set apart from earthly use for heav'n's employ
Adorned with prayer and love and joy. So shall your Sov'reign enter in
And new and nobler life begin.
To God alone be praise for word and deed and grace!

Verse 5: Redeemer come and open wide my heart to Thee, here, Lord abide!
O enter with Thy grace divine Thy face of mercy on me shine.
Thy Holy Spirit guide us on until our glorious goal is won.
Eternal praise and fame we offer to Thy name.