Nov 12, 2012

Advent Song: In the Depth of Winter's Darkness


Here’s a contemporary hymn for Advent from Joy Patterson. You might try singing it to the traditional Christmas carol tune Oh, how joyfully (SICILIAN MARINERS), or Angels from the Realms of Glory (REGENT SQUARE)…or one of these other traditional tunes (in 8.7.8.7.8.7. meter):

LAUDA ANIMA (Praise, my soul, the King of heaven) 
NEANDER (Open now the gates of beauty) 

In the Depth of Winter’s Darkness

In the depth of winter's darkness,
     lost in gloomy shades of night,
all humanity stands watching,
     waiting for God's promised Light.
Alleluia, alleluia,
     come, Lord Jesus, quickly come!

Now the time of preparation--
     with repentance hope, resolve,
let us ready minds and spirits
     for the Christ who comes in love.
Alleluia, alleluia,
     come, Lord Jesus, quickly come!

Once he came, and still he's coming,
     mystery both new and old--
what the hour of his new Advent
     prophets have not known or told.
Alleluia, alleluia,
     come, Lord Jesus, quickly come!

Doing justice, showing mercy,
     praying, praising, let us wait
so that we may greet his coming
     ready for the Daystar's Light.
Alleluia, alleluia,
     come, Lord Jesus, quickly come!

~ written by Joy F. Patterson in Come, You People of the Promise. Words copyright © 1994 Hope Publishing Company. If you use this hymn in worship, be sure to report it on your CCLI license.  Text reprinted here by permission.

For many other new song texts for Advent, visit Hope Publishing Company’s Online Hymnody website. http://www.hopepublishing.com/