A Hymn for the First Sunday of Advent

Based upon the proper Gospel, Epistle, and First Lesson for the day: Matthew 21. 1-13, Romans 13. 8-14, and Isaiah 1.

When Jesus to the temple comes

While pilgrims strew his way with palms,

He finds there lying scales and sums,

Which spare not even widow’s alms.

“Thou shalt not steal, thou shalt not lie,

But love thy neighbor as thy life”

Thus God commands, yet we defy

And make his house a den of strife.

Our solemn feasts do not delight;

Our rising incense reeks above;

The song, the robe, the holy rite,

They but condemn us without love.

Arise, O Lord, and quickly come;

The works of darkness mortify —

Drive out the thieves, the liars drum!

Arise, O Dayspring from on high.

Flood thou our faithless hearts with light,

For thou alone canst purge the dross.

Grant us to see thee with new sight,

And count all else but thee as loss.  

This hymn has been set to music (four-part, a’capella choir) by Andrew E. Morton, available here.