An Advent Hymn
December 12, 2021
1. HARK! a gladsome voice is thrilling,
Earth’s dim pathways wildly shaking:
Lo! the ancient fane is filling
With the glow, for day is breaking;
Day is breaking, night-dreams vanish;
Christ is coming, gloom to banish.
2. Christ is coming! from thy prison,
Earth-bound spirit, spring with gladness!
Rising with the Star, new risen,
Health to shed on human sadness:
Lo! the Lamb descends from heaven:
Sinners, haste to be forgiven.
3. Yea! to grant a gracious guerdon,
Once again he comes in glory:
Mourners, freighted with your pardon,
His right hand he lifteth o’er ye:
Lord, when doom and death confound us,
Be thine arm of mercy round us.
[“Fane” means ‘temple.’]
“VOX CLARA ECCE INTONAT” is an Advent hymn from the Liturgy of the Hours for the hour of Lauds during Advent believed to date from the sixth century. This is a translation from the Latin by Cardinal John Henry Newman.
