O Lord, How Shall I Meet You (ELW 241)
1 O Lord, how shall I meet you,
how welcome you aright?
Your people long to greet you,
my hope, my heart’s delight!
Oh, kindle, Lord most holy,
your lamp within my breast
to do in spirit lowly
all that may please you best.
2 I lay in fetters, groaning;
you came to set me free.
I stood, my shame bemoaning;
you came to honor me.
A glorious crown you give me,
a treasure safe on high
that will not fail or leave me
as earthly riches fly.
3 Love caused your incarnation;
love brought you down to me.
Your thirst for my salvation
procured my liberty.
Oh, love beyond all telling,
that led you to embrace
in love, all love excelling,
our lost and fallen race.
4 Rejoice, then, you sad-hearted,
who sit in deepest gloom,
who mourn your joys departed
and tremble at your doom.
All hail the Lord’s appearing!
O glorious Sun, now come,
send forth your beams so cheering
and guide us safely home.
Devotion
Advent is derived from the Latin word “advenio,” which means “to come to, to arrive.” Paul Gerhardt’s great hymn assumes the Lord is coming. Our preparation does not cause him to come. That was true in Jesus’ time, is true in our time, and will be true at the end of time. This hymn isn’t about our preparation at all, but rather is about God’s coming. God came incarnate in the past, God comes to us now in word and sacrament, and God will come again at the end of time. The only question is, “O Lord, how shall I meet you, how welcome you aright?” Gerhardt’s hymn describes Christ’s work—kindling a lamp within us, giving us a crown, embracing us in love, and guiding us safely home. Advent focuses not on our preparation, but on God’s work for us, coming to us repeatedly to kindle, give, embrace, and guide.
Prayer
O Lord, we thank you that you came, that you come today, and that you will come in the future. Help us to welcome you aright. Amen.