An Ambrosian Advent Hymn
Come, Thou Saviour of our race,
Choicest Gift of heavenly grace!
O Thou blessed Virgin’s Son,
Be Thy race on earth begun.
Not of mortal blood or birth,
He descends from heaven to earth:
By the Holy Ghost conceived,
God and man by us believed.
Wondrous birth! O wondrous child
Of the virgin undefiled!
Though by all the world disowned,
Still to be in heaven enthroned.
From the Father forth He came,
And returneth to the same;
Captive leading death and hell—
High the song of triumph swell!
Equal to the Father now,
Though to dust Thou once didst bow,
Boundless shall Thy kingdom be;
When shall we its glories see?
Brightly doth Thy manger shine!
Glorious in its light divine:
Let not sin o’ercloud this light,
Ever be our faith thus bright.
Aurelius Ambrose (340-397 A.D.)