Seeing as I typically revive this blog for random important occasions, and seeing as Christmas is fast approaching, and seeing as I actually have something written, today I post once more on my blog. Over the past few months I have been composing a few pieces of poetry, and perhaps some might well be able to be sung as hymns. Thus, laid out below, is one of my Advent hymns which I wrote a few weeks ago, and with no little trepidation share for anyone reading my blog to peruse. Here is a brief background to the composing of this hymn.
There seem to be times of my life when poetry and hymnody flow somewhat unforeseen and without much hard mental work from the end of my pen. Of course, that's not to say I don't think about what I write, but nevertheless, I do believe the Holy Spirit unmistakably guides my thoughts and pen at certain times. This was one of those times, when a few couplets jumped into my mind driving home from work and by the end of the next day, the hymn was complete. The hymn considers the wonderful mystery of the Incarnation, reflecting upon the paradox of the eternal, omnipotent God coming to earth as a finite, human baby. It considers the long awaited fulfillment of prophecy, both in the first and second comings of Christ, before finishing with a doxology of praise to the Triune Godhead. I hope you are blessed in the reading as I myself was surprisingly blessed in the writing. The metre and a suggested hymn tune are noted below in case any would like to know how to sing it.
Look! The King of Glory
Meter: 8.7.8.7. - Recommended tune: Merton
Look! The King enthroned in glory
Plants His footsteps on the earth.
Wonder at this marv'lous mystery
Ponder now the virgin birth.
Hear! The angels now proclaiming
Long foretold goodwill and joy.
Death defeated, life awakened
Through the advent of a boy.
See! The Father's plan unfolded
Adam's fall and curse of dust
Broken by a heav'nly Adam
Clothed in flesh to ransom us.
Lying within a smaller stable
Greater God did stoop to earth.
Crying in His mother's cradle
Born to give the second birth.
Just Redeemer of Thy people
Thou fulfilled all prophecy.
We await Thy second coming
Every eye at last shall see.
Now with gladdened hearts we bow in
Worship with the heav'nly host
Shouting "Glory!" to the Father,
Blessed Son and Holy Ghost.
Lyrics by William A. Moore, November 2019
Happy Christmas to you all!