The Advent of Our King
The Advent of our King
The Advent of Our King is a hymn text by Charles Coffin (1736) in L.M. (8.8.8.8) meter. Translated by John Chandler. Found in elw 264, lbw 22, lsb 331, lw 12. Sung to ST. THOMAS.
This hymn emphasizes Christ's dual advent—His historical incarnation and His future coming in judgment—essential to Lutheran eschatology and Christology. It calls believers to watchful preparation and moral renewal, reflecting the Law-Gospel dynamic central to Lutheran piety.
History & Background
Charles Coffin composed this Latin hymn in early 18th-century France as part of the Parisian Breviary revision. John Chandler's 1837 English translation became standard in Lutheran and other Protestant hymnals throughout the 19th and 20th centuries.
Hymnal Appearances
- Evangelical Lutheran Worship — 264
- Lutheran Book of Worship — 22
- Lutheran Service Book — 331
- Lutheran Worship — 12
- Trinity Hymnal — 109
- The Lutheran Hymnal — 68
Translation
Bulletin Note
Composed by Charles Coffin in 1736, this Latin hymn weaves together incarnation and eschatology, reflecting the medieval Advent tradition of watchful longing. A masterwork of Reformation hymnody.
Preaching Connection
This hymn embodies the Lutheran rhythm of Law and Gospel: it diagnoses our spiritual unreadiness through urgent calls to repentance, then anchors hope entirely in Christ's return and the triumph of His kingdom.
Stanza Arc
The narrative or theological arc traced by this tune's stanzas: Affection for the Church → Covenantal belonging → Sacrificial devotion → Transcendent joy in communion
Overview
Another Paris Breviary hymn by Coffin. It calls for prayer and welcome as the King comes (st. 1), confesses the incarnation in servant form to free servants (st. 2), calls Zion's daughter to meet her lowly King (st. 3), looks to his return as Judge (st. 4), calls to put off the old man and put on the new (st. 5), and ends in doxology (st. 6). It joins Christ's first and second comings and their meaning for daily life.
Central theme: The King's coming in humility and in glory, and the new life it calls for
Structure
Welcome (1); incarnation (2); lowly King (3); return as Judge (4); new life (5); doxology (6).
Law & Gospel Shape
Gospel (st. 2, the Son as servant to free us); Law and sanctification (st. 5, put off the old man).
Confessional Connections
Incarnation and humiliation (FC VIII); second coming (AC XVII); daily dying of the old Adam and rising of the new (Small Catechism, Baptism).
Liturgical Use (Study Notes)
Advent, especially Advent 1 (Rom 13:11-14 Epistle).
Historical Notes
From the Paris Breviary (1736); Chandler's translation, 1837.
About the Tune
ST. THOMAS (Aaron Williams, 1763).
Scripture References
Zech 9:9 Phil 2:6-8 Gal 4:4-5 Matt 21:5 Acts 1:11 Matt 25:31 Rom 13:12-14 Eph 4:22-24
Stanza by Stanza
The coming of our King must now occupy our prayers, and we must sing hymns of welcome with holy joy.
Advent as a season of prayer and welcome. 'Our King' (Zech 9:9). Prayer and praise together prepare for his coming.
- Scripture
- Zech 9:9, Ps 24:7-10, Phil 4:4-5
- Imagery & language
- Advent; prayers; welcome hymns.
- Law / Gospel
- Doxology.
- Connection to previous
- Welcome.
The eternal Son graciously becomes incarnate and puts on a servant's form to set his servants free.
Phil 2:6-7 ('taking the form of a servant'); Gal 4:4-5 ('born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law'). The paradox: the Lord becomes a servant to make servants free (John 8:36). A compact Christology.
- Scripture
- Phil 2:6-7, Gal 4:4-5, John 8:36, John 1:14
- Imagery & language
- Servant's form; servants freed.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — incarnation for freedom.
- Connection to previous
- Incarnation.
Daughter of Zion, rise to meet your humble King, and do not let your unbelieving heart despise the peace he brings.
Zech 9:9; Matt 21:5. 'Lowly King' — on a donkey. The warning: 'Nor let thy faithless heart despise' — Jerusalem would reject him (Luke 19:41-44, 'you did not know the time of your visitation'). The peace he brings is peace with God (Rom 5:1).
- Scripture
- Zech 9:9, Matt 21:5, Luke 19:41-44, Rom 5:1
- Imagery & language
- Zion's daughter; lowly King; peace.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel with warning against unbelief.
- Connection to previous
- The lowly King.
As Judge on clouds of light he will soon come again and unite all his true members with himself to reign in heaven.
The second Advent: Acts 1:11; Matt 24:30; 25:31. 'His true members' — the body of Christ (1 Cor 12:27), united with their Head. For believers, the Judge is the Savior (2 Tim 4:8).
- Scripture
- Acts 1:11, Matt 24:30, Matt 25:31-34, 1 Cor 12:27, 2 Tim 4:8
- Imagery & language
- Clouds of light; Judge; members.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — return and reign.
- Connection to previous
- Return.
Before the day dawns, let sin's dark deeds be gone; let the old man be put away and the new man put on.
Rom 13:12-14 ('The night is far gone; the day is at hand. So then let us cast off the works of darkness… put on the Lord Jesus Christ'), the Advent 1 Epistle. Eph 4:22-24 (put off the old self, put on the new). Luther's Small Catechism: Baptism means 'that the Old Adam in us should by daily contrition and repentance be drowned… and that a new man should daily emerge.'
- Scripture
- Rom 13:11-14, Eph 4:22-24, Col 3:9-10, Rom 6:4
- Imagery & language
- Dawning day; dark deeds; old and new man.
- Law / Gospel
- Law and sanctification.
- Connection to previous
- New life.
All glory to the Son who comes to set us free, one with the Father and the Spirit forever.
Doxology; 'Who comes to set us free' returns to st. 2.
- Scripture
- John 8:36, Matt 28:19
- Imagery & language
- Doxology.
- Law / Gospel
- Doxology.
- Connection to previous
- Doxology.
Themes
Christ's coming Kingdom of God Royal messiahship Christian preparation Judgment