The hymn “With Mighty Voice the Prophets Cry” (Magnis prophetae vocibus) beautifully captures the themes of Advent, uniting the first and second advents of Christ and calling us to worship and seek the Savior who was born to cleanse and redeem us.
With mighty voice the prophets cry
that Christ the Lord is drawing near;
rejoicing, they foresee the grace
by which he saves us and redeems.
And so our morning sun shines forth,
our hearts ablaze with radiant joy;
we hear the faithful voice resound,
precursor of God’s glorious gift.
At that first Advent Christ our God
came forth not to condemn the world,
but came to cleanse our gaping wound,
to seek and save what had been lost.
Christ’s Second Coming warns us all
that he is standing at the gates
to give to saints their glorious crowns
and open wide the heav’nly realm.
Eternal light is now foretold,
the saving star is shining forth,
its radiant splendor summons us
and calls us to the heav’nly court.
Christ Jesus, you alone we seek
to see you face to face as God;
may this unending vision be
an everlasting hymn of praise. Amen.
