The Advent of Our God
The Advent of our God
The hymn emphasizes the tension between Christ's redemptive first advent and His future coming in judgment, calling believers to vigilant repentance and faithful expectation. Lutheran theology celebrates both the grace of incarnation and the eschatological hope of final resurrection, reflected in this text's balance of penitential urgency and joyful anticipation.
History & Background
Charles Coffin composed this Latin hymn for the Advent season in early 18th-century France as part of the Roman Breviary tradition. John Chandler translated it into English in 1837, and it has remained a standard Advent hymn in Lutheran hymnals since the 19th century.
Hymnal Appearances
- Evangelical Lutheran Worship — 331
- Lutheran Book of Worship — 22
- Lutheran Service Book — 331
- Lutheran Worship — 12
- The Lutheran Hymnal — 68
Translation
Bulletin Note
Charles Coffin's Latin hymn (1736) paired with the haunting medieval tune CONDITOR ALME SIDERUM expresses the Church's ancient two-fold Advent longing: gratitude for the Incarnation and vigilant hope for Christ's return.
Preaching Connection
This hymn holds Law and Gospel in creative tension: the solemn call to repentance before Christ's coming judgment meets the liberating proclamation that redemption is already ours through His incarnation.
Stanza Arc
The narrative or theological arc traced by this tune's stanzas: Law (human darkness and sin) → Gospel (Christ's redemptive light) → Doxology (Trinitarian glory)
Themes
Christ's coming Repentance and preparation Resurrection and judgment Christian hope Divine majesty