Advent Hymns (II)

Here is a hymn that I am using at Church as an office Hymn for Evensong during Advent. It dates back to a 9th century manuscript of Bern and is also found in the Canterbury Hymnal of the 10th century. The Doxology serves as a proclaimation of God's praise, together with an affirmation of his infinity. This English translation of John Mason Neale first appeared in the Hymnal Noted, 1851.

hymnal 6, Conditor alme

CREATOR of the stars of night,

Thy people's everlasting light,

O Christ, thou Saviour of us all,

We pray thee, hear us when we call.

To thee the travail deep was known

That made the whole creation groan

Till thou, Redeemer, shouldest free

Thine own in glorious liberty.

When the old world drew on toward night,

Thou camest not in splendour bright

As monarch, but the humble child

Of Mary, blameless mother mild.

At thy great name of Jesus, now

All knees must bend, all hearts must bow:

And things celestial thee shall own,

And things terrestrial, Lord alone.

Come in thy holy might, we pray;

Redeem us for eternal day

From every power of darkness, when

Thou judgest all the sons of men.

To God the Father, God the Son,

And God the Spirit, Three in One,

Laud, honor, might, and glory be

From age to age eternally. Amen.

Latin, 9th century