Hymn for Advent

Verse 1:
O Lord, I long to meet You   / O LORD, how shall I meet Thee,
And welcome You aright;   / How welcome Thee aright?
Draw near that I might greet You,   / All nations long to greet Thee,
My hope, my heart's delight.   / My Hope, my heart's Delight!
Come, make the spark within me   / O kindle, dearest Jesus,
A fire within my breast   / Thy lamp within my breast,
That I, the meek and lowly   / That I may know what pleases
Might honor such a guest.   / Thee, Lord, my heavenly Guest.

Verse 2:
No price, dear Lord, could move   / Naught, naught, dear Lord, could move Thee
You to leave Your rightful place,   / To leave Thy rightful place
But love for which I love You   / Save love, for which I love Thee;
Pursued my soul in grace;   / A love that could embrace
A world where sorrows deepen,   / A world where sorrow dwelleth,
Which sin and suff'ring fill-   / Which sin and suffering fill,
Beyond all mortal reason   / More than the tongue e'er telleth;--
You deign to love it still.   / Yet Thou couldst love it still!

Verse 3:
Rejoice, all you sad-hearted,   / Rejoice, then, ye sad-hearted,
Who sit in deepest gloom,   / Who sit in deepest gloom,
Who mourn the joys departed   / Who mourn o'er joys departed,
And tremble at your doom:   / And tremble at your doom:
Despair not, He is near you,   / Despair not, He is near you,
Yes, standing at the door,   / Yea, standing at the door,
Who best can help and cheer you   / Who best can help and cheer you,
And bids you weep no more.   / And bid you weep no more.

Verse 4:
Sin need not make you fearful,   / Sin's debt, that fearful burden,
Ashamed to see His face-   / Let not your souls distress;
The contrite and the tearful   / Your guilt the Lord will pardon
He covers with His grace.   / And cover with His grace.
He comes, for us procuring   / He comes, He comes procuring
Forgiveness borne of love   / The peace of sin forgiven,
For all, in Him, securing   / To all God's sons securing
Their heritage above.   / Their part and lot in heaven.

Verse 5:
Our Lord will come with gladness,   / He comes to judge the nations,
In mercy and goodwill,   / A terror to His foes,
To bring an end to sadness   / A light of consolations
And bid our fears be still.   / And blessed hope to those
In patient expectation   / Who love the Lord's appearing.
We live for that great day   / O glorious Sun, now come,
When a renewed creation   / Send forth Thy beams so cheering,
His glory shall display.   / And guide us safely home!