ADVENT SONG by Francis Ridley Havergal

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Mar 14, 1878

ADVENT SONG.

By Francis Ridley Havergal

Thou art coming, O our Saviour, Thou art coming, O our King, In thy beauty all-resplendent, In thy glory all-transcendent; Well may we rejoice and sing! Coming! In the opening east, Herald brightness slowly swells. Coming! O my glorious Priest, Hear we not thy golden bells?

Thou art coming, thou art coming! We shall meet thee on thy way; We shall see thee, we shall know thee; We shall bless thee, we shall show thee All our hearts could never say. What an anthem that will be, Ringing out our love to thee, Pouring out our rapture sweet At thine own all-glorious feet!

Thou art coming! Rays of glory, Through the vail thy death hath rent, Touch the mountain and the river With a golden, glowing quiver, Thrill of light and music blent. Earth is brightened when the gleam Falls on flower and rock and stream; Life is brightened when this ray Falls upon its darkest day.

Thou art coming! At thy table We are witnesses for this, While remembering hearts thou meetest In communion clearest, sweetest, Earnest of our coming bliss, Showing not thy death alone, And thy love exceeding great, But thy coming and thy throne,— All for which we long and wait

Thou art coming! We are waiting With a hope that cannot fail; Asking not the day or hour, Resting on thy word of power, Anchored safe within the vail. Time appointed may be long, But the vision must be sure; Certainty shall make us strong, Joyful patience can endure.

Oh, the joy to see thee reigning, Thee, our own beloved Lord! Every tongue thy name confessing, Worship, honor, glory, blessing, Brought to thee with glad accord, Thee our Master and our Friend, Vindicated and enthroned; Unto earth’s remotest end, Glorified, adored, and owned!

—Francis Ridley Havergal.