Vespers in Advent

Advent Vespers –

Creator of the stars of night,
your people’s everlasting light,
O Christ, Redeemer of us all,
we pray you hear us when we call.

In sorrow that the ancient curse
should doom to death a universe,
you came, O Savior, to set free
your own in glorious liberty.

When this old world drew on toward night,
you came; but not in splendor bright,
not as a monarch, but the child
of Mary, blameless mother mild.

At your great Name, O Jesus now
all knees must bend, all hearts must bow:
all things on earth with one accord,
like those in heaven shall call you Lord.

Come in your holy might we pray,
redeem us for eternal day;
defend us while we dwell below
from all assaults of our dread foe.

To God the Father, God the Son,
and God the Spirit, Three in One,
praise, honor, might, and glory be
from age to age eternally. Amen.

~Office Hymn

~Image: Andromeda galaxy in ultraviolet light, Hubble telescope.