The Coming of our God

This Advent hymn was translated by Robert Campbell (1814-1868) et al,.from Charles Coffin's "Instantis adventum Dei", which was published in the 1736 Paris Breviary.

With meter 6.6.8.6, tunes it has been set to include:

DONCASTER by Samuel Wesley, in Psalms and Hymns for the Service of the Church, 1837
FRANCONIA, published in the 1738 Harmonischer Liederschatz,
ST THOMAS by Aaron Williams, 1770
OPTATUS VOTIS OMNIUM - anonymous in Songs of Syon, 1910.
SWABIA by John M Spiess

There is another translation by John Chandler (1806-1876), "The Advent of our God" which has been published a number of times: the one presented here has been published mainly since Vatican II.

Downloads

This section may contain affiliate links: I earn from qualifying purchases on these. Free downloads are provided where possible (eg for public domain items).

PowerPoint slides

Examples

Singer, unaccompanied:

Instrumental - piano:

Instrumental - piano. Tune SWABIA

Instrumental - electronic organ. Tune ST THOMAS

Lyrics:

The coming of our God
Our thoughts must now employ:
Then let us meet him on the road
With songs of holy joy.

The co-eternal Son
A maiden’s offspring see:
A servant’s form Christ putteth on,
To make his people free.

Mother of Saints, arise
To greet thine infant-King,
And do not thanklessly despise
The pardon he doth bring.

In glory from his throne
Again will Christ descend,
And summon all that are his own
To joys that never end.

Let deeds of darkness fly
Before the approaching morn,
For onto sin ‘tis ours to die,
And serve the Virgin-horn.

Our joyful praises sing
To Christ, that set us free;
Like tribute to the Father bring,
And, Holy Ghost, to thee. Amen.

See more ...

Advent hymns