Merry Christmas from Redeeming Culture!

O Savior, rend the heavens wide;
Come down, come down with mighty stride.
Unlock the gates, the doors break down;
Unbar the way to heaven’s crown.

O Father, dew from heaven send;
As gentle dew, O Son, descend.
Drop down, you clouds, and torrents bring:
To Jacob’s line rain down the King.

O earth, in flowering bud be seen;
Clothe hill and dale in garb of green.
O earth bring forth this Blossom rare;
O Savior, rise from meadow fair.

O Fount of hope, how long, how long?
When wilt Thou come with comfort strong?
O come, O come, high heaven forego;
Console us in our vale of woe.

O Morning Star, O radiant Sun,
When will our hearts behold thy dawn?
O Sun, arise; without thy light,
We grope in gloom and dark of night.

Here dreadful doom upon us lies;
Death looms so grim before our eyes.
O come, lead us with mighty hand
From exile to the Promised Land.

There will we all our praises bring
Ever to thee, our Savior King;
There shall we laud thee and adore
Forever and forevermore.

—Friedrich von Spee, 1623. Tr. from German, Martin L. Seltz, 1969.