53 - Advent

1. Once he came in blessing,

all our ills redressing;

came in likeness lowly,

Son of God most holy;

bore the cross to save us,

hope and freedom gave us.

2. Still he comes within us,

still his voice would win us

from the sins that hurt us,

would to Truth convert us:

not in torment hold us,

but in love enfold us.

3. Thus, if thou canst name him,

not ashamed to claim him,

but wilt trust him boldly

nor dost love him coldly,

he will then receive thee,

heal thee, and forgive thee.

4. One who thus endureth

bright reward secureth.

Come, then, O Lord Jesus,

from our sins release us;

let us here confess thee

till in heaven we bless thee.

Words: Jan Roh (1485?-1547); tr. Catherine Winkworth (1827-1878), alt. Music: Gottes Sohn ist kommen, melody Michael Weisse (d. 1534)