An Advent Prayer

Light of those whose dreary dwelling
Borders on the shades of death,
Come, and by Your love’s revealing 
Dissipate the clouds beneath
How we long for your appearing;
Life and joy your beams impart,
Chasing all our fears, and cheering
Every poor benighted heart.

The new heaven and earth’s Creator,
In our deepest gloom arise,
Banish all the grief of nature;
open Lord, our blinded eyes.
Save us in Your great compassion,
Set us free from all our sin.
Bring the joy of our salvation,
Let the new world now begin;

Come, and manifest the favor
God has for our ransomed race;
Come, O Come Emmanuel,
pour over us your Gospel grace.
By Your all-redeeming merit
every burdened soul release;
Every weary, wandering spirit
guide into Your perfect peace.