First sunday in Advent
The night is far spent, the day is at hand; let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light
From the Epistle. [Rom. 13:12]
8,4,10,10,4,10
Hüter, wird die Nacht der Sünden
Richter. 1704.
trans. by Catherine Winkworth, 1855
O Watchman, will the night of sin Be never past? O watchman, doth the tarrying day begin To dawn upon thy straining sight at last? Will it dispel Ere long the mists of sin wherein I dwell? | Now all the earth is bright and glad With the fresh morn; But all my heart is cold and dark and sad; Sun of the soul, let me behold Thy dawn! Come, Jesus, Lord! Oh quickly come, according to Thy word! | 2 Do we not live in those blest days So long foretold, When Thou shouldst come to bring us light and grace? And yet I sit in darkness as of old, Pining to see Thy glory; but Thou still art far from me. | Long since Thou camest for the light Of all men here; And still in me is nought but blackest night, Yet I am thine, Oh hasten to appear, Shine forth and bless My soul with vision of Thy righteousness! | If thus in darkness ever left, Can I fulfil The works of light, while yet of light bereft? Or how discern in love and meekness still To follow Thee, And all the sinful works of darkness flee? | The light of reason cannot give Light to my soul; Jesus alone can make me truly live, One glance of His can make my spirit whole, Arise and shine, O Jesus, on this longing heart of mine! | Single and clear, not weak or blind, The eye must be, To which Thy glory shall and entrance find; For if Thy chosen ones would gaze on Thee, No earthly screen Between their souls and Thee must intervene. | 3 Jesus, do Thou mine eyes unseal, And let them grow Quick to discern whate'er thou dost reveal, So shall I be deliver'd from that woe, Blindly to stray Through hopeless night, while all around is day. | |