In Light of the Gospel

Merry Christmas everyone.  I thought I would share one of my favorite Advent/Christmas hymns. “Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence” is from the Liturgy of St James (4th century), one of the earliest extant liturgies of the Christian Church,. Orthodox Christians in Jerusalem recite it on the Sunday after Christmas, or as part of the Christmas Eve service. Although the hymn can be used as a communion hymn any time of the year, it is a beautiful advent hymn, pointing us to stand in awe as the King of kings and Lord of lords descends to earth to vanquish the powers of hell. Biblical references include in verse 2, John 6:51, in verse 3, John 1:5,9, and in verse 4, Isaiah 6:1-3, Revelation 4:8, and Revelation 19:1-6. You can listen to it here at Cyberhymnal.

“Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence”
From The Liturgy of St. James, 4th Century

Let all mortal flesh keep silence,
And with fear and trembling stand;
Ponder nothing earthly minded,
For with blessing in His hand,
Christ our God to earth descendeth,
Our full homage to demand.

King of kings, yet born of Mary,
As of old on earth He stood,
Lord of lords, in human vesture,
In the body and the blood;
He will give to all the faithful
His own self for heavenly food.

Rank on rank the host of heaven
Spreads its vanguard on the way,
As the Light of light descendeth
From the realms of endless day,
That the powers of hell may vanish
As the darkness clears away.

At His feet the six wingèd seraph,
Cherubim with sleepless eye,
Veil their faces to the presence,
As with ceaseless voice they cry:
Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Lord Most High!