Powerful Words

These are some of my favorite Advent Hymns. A funny thing happened to me. I was raised in a church that had an organ and we sang mostly hymns. I NEVER realized how powerful the words of the hymns were until I began attending a church that uses a wide range of music with many kinds of musical instruments.

I look up to a large screen for the words with my head lifted high and my hands raised in worship, rather than burying my head in a hymnal. I sing terrible, but I sing with all my heart as I sing praises to my Lord and Savior. Now...when I sing a hymn, I get it!

Have a listen and sing along! (use the Back button on your browser to return to the blog.)

O Come, O Come, Emmanuel
Unknown author in the 12th Century, translated by John M. Neale (1818-1866)
Tune, French Processional, 15th Century
http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/o/c/ocomocom.htm

O come, O come, Emmanuel,
And ransom captive Israel,T
hat mourns in lonely exile here
Until the Son of God appear.

Refrain
Rejoice! Rejoice!
Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.

O come, Thou Wisdom from on high,
Who orderest all things mightily;
To us the path of knowledge show,
And teach us in her ways to go.

O come, Thou Rod of Jesse, free
Thine own from Satan’s tyranny;
From depths of hell Thy people save,
And give them victory over the grave.

O come, Thou Day-spring, come and cheer
Our spirits by Thine advent here;
Disperse the gloomy clouds of night,
And death’s dark shadows put to flight.

O come, Thou Key of David, come,
And open wide our heavenly home;
Make safe the way that leads on high,
And close the path to misery.

O come, O come, great Lord of might,
Who to Thy tribes on Sinai’s height
In ancient times once gave the law
In cloud and majesty and awe.

O come, Thou Root of Jesse’s tree,
An ensign of Thy people be;
Before Thee rulers silent fall;
All peoples on Thy mercy call.

O come, Desire of nations, bind
In one the hearts of all mankind;
Bid Thou our sad divisions cease,
And be Thyself our King of Peace.

Come, Though Long Expected Jesus
Charles Wesley (1707 - 1788)
http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/c/o/m/comtlong.htm

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 SpiritRule in all our hearts alone;
By Thine all sufficient merit,
Raise us to Thy glorious throne.


Fling Wide the Doors
Georg Weissel (1642) Text
Jo­hann­es A. Frey­ling­haus­en (1704) Tune
http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/f/w/fwdtdoor.htm

Fling wide the door, unbar the gate;
The King of glory comes in state;
The Lord of lords and King of kings,
The Savior of the world who brings
His great salvation to the earth.
So raise a shout of holy mirthAnd praise our God and Lord,
Creator, Spirit Word

He is the rock of our belief,
The heart of mercy’s gentle self.
His kingly crown is holiness;
His scepter is his loveliness;
He brings our sorrows to an end.
Now gladly praise our king and friend,
And worship him with song,
For saving us from wrong.

O, happy towns and blessed lands
That live by their true king’s commands,
And blessed be the hearts he rules,
The humble places where he dwells.
He is the rightful Son of bliss
Who fills our lives and makes us his,
Creator of the world,
Our only strength for good.

Come, Lord, our Savior, Jesus Christ;
Our hearts are open wide in trust.
Oh, show us now your lovely grace,
Upon our sorrows shine your face,
And let your Holy Spirit guide
Our journey in your grace so wide.
We praise your holy name,
From age to age the same.