O quickly come – A hymn for Advent

Introduction

The hymn, O quickly come, dread Judge of all: words by Lawrence Tuttiet, 1825 – 1897, (number 13 in the New English Hymnal) offers a framework around which to think and pray over the four Sundays and weeks of Advent. Each of the four verses has its own theme: God as Judge; God as King; true Life; sure Light. These remind us of the Second Coming at the End Times: the traditional focus for the season of Advent.

The four reflections each offer a verse of the hymn, some texts to contemplate and suggestions for prayer.

If you wish to hear the hymn tune you can find it as follows:
to the tune Vater unser (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RETEKEqpDBI or https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IObuwhH9FrQ)
to the tune Melita (the tune for Eternal Father strong to save … for those in peril on the sea) can also be used https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0kJlncfbJJo

2nd Sunday of Advent

O quickly come, great King of all;
Reign all around us, and within;
Let sin no more our souls enthrall,
Let pain and sorrow die with sin.
O quickly come, for Thou alone
Canst make Thy scattered people one.

‘Who is this King of glory? The Lord of hosts, he is the King of glory’. [Psalm 24. 10]
‘Now you have been freed from sin and enslaved to God’.   [Romans 6.22]
‘Many peoples shall come and say, “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord’. [Isaiah 2. 3]
‘After this I looked, and there was a great multitude that no one could count from every nation,
from all tribes and peoples and languages standing before the throne’. [Revelation7. 9]

You, Christ, are the King of glory,
the eternal Son of the Father.                        (Te Deum)

King of creation we pray that  in spite of our differences,
we may live out our days with compassion and grace.

 Christ, our King, renew in us allegiance to Your Kingship.
Give us grace to place you
above the powers of this world in all things.
May we strive to bring your Kingdom to the world.
Reign in every area of our lives.

 Holy God, holy and strong, holy and immortal:
have mercy on us.