Ping!
I can't disagree. It's certainly in the top two, along with Veni Veni Emmanuel.
We have these two hymns in our hymnal, Lutheran Service Book, as "Savior of the Nations, Come" (332) and "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel" (357).
ML/NJ
My favorite recording of the tune is by the Trinity Choir
Here are the words:
STAR OF THE EAST
Star of the East, oh Bethlehem's star,
Guiding us on to heaven afar.
Sorrow and grief are lulled by thy light.
Thou hope of each mortal, in death's lonely night.
Fearless and tranquil, we look up to Thee,
Knowing thou beam'st through eternity.
Help us to follow where Thou still dost guide
Pilgrims of earth so wise.
Oh star that leads to God above.
Whose rays are peace, and joy, and love.
Watch o'er us still till life hath ceased.
Beam on, bright star, sweet Bethlehem’s star.
Star of the East, thou hope of the soul.
While round us here the dark billows roll.
Lead us from sin to glory afar,
Oh, star of the East, thou sweet Bethlehem's star.
Written 400 ad?
Amazing, even older than “O Come, O Come Emmanuel”, and that one is OLD also, going back to the dark ages.
Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland,
Der Jungfrauen Kind erkannt,
Des sich wundert alle Welt,
Gott solch Geburt ihm bestellt.
Words with a strictly literal translation here: http://www.bach-cantatas.com/Texts/Chorale016-Eng3.htm
An interesting setting here:
The segue into pop at around the 5 minute mark is hideous . . . but until they get to that awful stuff, it's a wonderful, atmospheric setting. Just listen to the first 5 minutes and then turn it off.
More traditional version:
Of course, there's also a whole Bach cantata, but that's a different story.
My favorites: Veni Emmanuel, Conditor Alme Siderum (Creator of the Stars of Night), On Jordan's Bank.
Hate to disagree with Msgr, Pope, but the best—THE BEST—Advent hymn is “Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence”. The guys in my mens group like it so much, they want to sing it year round.
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I especially like the version by John Michael Talbot:
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ni6WuAX1fKE
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1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. At his feet the six-winged seraph,
cherubim, with sleepless eye,
veil their faces to the presence,
as with ceaseless voice they cry:
Alleluia, Alleluia,
Alleluia, Lord Most High!
331: The Advent of Our King
332: Savior of the Nations, Come
333: Once He Came in Blessing
334: O Lord, How Shall I Meet You
335: O Bride of Christ, Rejoice
336: Lo! He Comes with Clouds Descending
337: The Night Will Soon Be Ending
338: Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus
339: Lift Up Your Heads, You Everlasting Doors
340: Lift Up Your Heads, Ye Mighty Gates
341: Lift Up Your Heads, Ye Mighty Gates
342: What Hope! An Eden Prophesied
343: Prepare the Royal Highway
344: On Jordan’s Bank the Baptist’s Cry
345: Hark! A Thrilling Voice Is Sounding
346: When All the World Was Cursed
347: Comfort, Comfort Ye My People
348: The King Shall Come When Morning Dawns
349: Hark the Glad Sound
350: Come, Thou Precious Ransom, Come
351: Creator of the Stars of Night
352: Let the Earth Now Praise the Lord
353: Jesus Came, the Heavens Adoring
354: Arise, O Christian People
355: O Savior, Rend the Heavens Wide
356: The Angel Gabriel from Heaven Came
357: O Come, O Come, Emmanuel
I'm happy to say that during this Advent season (seven services, Sundays and Wednesdays), our congregation will be singing 23 of these 26 different hymns.
I pick the hymns, btw. ;^)
Your thoughts?