Advent Hymn

Suggested tune: In Christ Alone (or other 8888 tune).

Update: Since blogging this, Chris Upton has composed a lovely new tune specifically for this hymn, Advent Hope, as he explains in the comments below. You can find it online here, at the CPDL free choral sheet music site.

This hymn is structured around the traditional candles of the Advent Wreath, and would work particularly well sung at the lighting of the candles. Either the verse for the week can be sung between the first and last verses, or the verses could be sung cumulatively through Advent. The hymn can also, of course, be sung as a whole, and this would be particularly appropriate on Advent Sunday, or at an Advent carol service.

First Verse:
In Advent hope, we watch for Christ,
Eagerly waiting for his birth.
Preparing hearts, our minds and lives,
Anticipating his return.
Watching for light, watching for love,
Watching for joy, watching for peace.
We'll see him soon, in life or death,
God with us then for evermore.
God with us then for evermore.

Advent 1:
In ages past the ancients told
Stories of what God promises:
From Noah's dove, to Sarah's laugh,
Wrestling with God or counting stars.
Stories of light, stories of love,
Stories of joy, stories of peace.
Through exiled years of slavery
Stories of hope and faithfulness.
Stories of hope and faithfulness.

Advent 2:
Your prophets held before our eyes
Visions of how the world could be
When righteousness is redefined:
Visions of grace and jubilee.
Visions of light, visions of love,
Visions of joy, visions of peace:
A coming king, who'll rule to serve,
Visions of justice all will see.
Visions of justice all will see.

Advent 3:
John warned your people to prepare
Baptising all who turned from sin,
From selfishness, unfairness, greed:
Guiding your people to your path.
The path of light, the path of love,
The path of joy, the path of peace.
Guiding us to eternal life,
Calling us all to fruitfulness.
Calling us all to fruitfulness.

Advent 4:
With Mary's yes, God came to grow,
Curled in the darkness of her womb.
And Mary sang, rejoicingly,
Telling of God's eternal plan.
Singing of light, singing of love,
Singing of joy, singing of peace.
Of how God loves the poor and low,
Turning the kingdom upside down.
Turning the kingdom upside down.

Final verse:
Inspired by them*, and trusting God,
We wait in darkness for the dawn.
In eager hope, expectantly,
Longing for Christ, the morning star.
Longing for light, longing for love,
Longing for joy, longing for peace.
Impatient for the coming day,
Longing to meet Christ face to face.
Longing to meet Christ face to face.

[*NB: if only the verse for Advent 3 or Advent 4 has been used on a particular occasion, change 'them' to 'him' or 'her']

You are welcome to use these words freely, with attribution (Creative Commons Licence Share-Alike Licence). I hope they are useful!