First Sunday in Advent

O how shall I receive Thee,

How meet Thee on Thy way;

Blest hope of every nation,

My soul's delight and stay?

O Jesus, Jesus, give me,

By Thine illuming light,

To know whate'er is pleasing

And welcome in Thy sight.

Thy Zion palms is strewing

With branches fresh and fair;

And every soul awaking,

Her anthem shall prepare;

Perpetual thanks and praises

Forth from our hearts shall spring;

And to Thy name the service

Of all our powers we bring.

O ye who sorrow, sinking

Beneath your grief and pain,

Rejoice in His appearing,

Who shall your souls sustain:

He comes, He comes with gladness!

How great is His good-will!

He comes, all grief and anguish

Shall at His word be still.

Ye who with guilty terror

Are trembling, fear no more;

With love and grace the Savior

Shall you to hope restore:
He comes, who contrite sinners

Will with the children place,

The children of His Father,

The heirs of life and grace.

He comes, the Lord, to judgment;

Woe, woe to them who hate!

To those who love and seek Him

He opes the heavenly gate.

Come quickly, gracious Savior,

And gather us to Thee,

That in the light eternal

Our joyous home may be.

-P. Gerhardt, 1653