Advent

Jesus, word of God, our wisdom,

come, and show us how to love,

in the promised joyful kingdom,

gentle teacher from above.

Blest Lord of ancient Israel,

seen by Moses in the fire,

you gave your tribes their citadel,

with the law you did inspire.

O final flower of Jesse’s stem,

kings and nations stand in awe.

By your love and welcome rule them,

fill your peoples with your law.

Key of David and key of life,

free our world and lives from night.

Bring your quiet to end our strife,

and hate’s prison put to flight.

O fiery dawn that brings the day,

light our path for we are lost.

Give us the joy and voice to say:

come both fire and holocaust.

O King, unite humanity,

keystone of our human arch.

We are but dust and vanity,

be with us on this earth’s march.

Emmanuel, in weakness born,

let us turn our thoughts to you,

born as a babe on Christmas morn,

in weakness evil’s power slew.