Advent, already

Arise, arise to meet thy God,

Arise, O Israel,

Arise, arise to meet thy King

Whose beauty none can tell.

More fair is he than light of dawn

That breaks o'er hill and dell,

Or than the gold of ripening corn
In the vale of Jezrahel.

More beautiful, more beautiful

Than sheen of early morn,

O Israel, he is thy King,

Yet crowned with piercing thorn.

Then rouse thyself, awake from sleep,

Arise, O Israel:

Acclaim this King who is thy God,

Whose beauty none can tell.

-  from  Magnificat, November, 2016