The Advent of Our God

“The Advent of Our God” is one of two notable Advent hymns by Charles Coffin (1676-1749) — teacher, writer, and rector of the University of Paris — the other being “On Jordan’s Banks the Baptist’s Cry,” both translated by the Anglican priest John Chandler (1806-1876), one of the earliest and most successful translators of Latin hymns.

Coffin’s text references both the coming of Christ to the world in his incarnation and earthly ministry as well as his Second Coming and eternal reign.

This arrangement for SAB voices and organ adapts the hymn tune CHESHIRE for its first four verses, followed by an original tune for the concluding doxology.

The advent of our God
With eager prayers we greet,
And singing, haste upon the road
His coming reign to meet.

The everlasting Son
Came down to make us free;
And he a servant’s form put on
To gain our liberty.

O Sion’s daughter, rise
To meet your lowly king;
Let not your faithless heart despise
The peace he comes to bring.

As judge on clouds of light,
He soon will come again,
His scattered people to unite,
With them in heav’n to reign.

Praise to th’incarnate Son
Who comes to set us free,
With Father, Spirit, ever one,
To all eternity.

SAB/organ score (4 pages, 8.5×11″)