HYMN: The Lord Is Near! Oh, Bless His Name!

My family went on vacation last month. My plan was to sleep, read, and maybe write a hymn. I did all three. As far as the hymn goes, I’ve been looking at some of the hymns i’ve written that I consider weaker texts, and my first text for the Fourth Sunday in Advent, Rain Down, You Heavens, From Above, is one of them. So over the course of about a week, I wrote a new text which builds on John the Baptist’s words in the appointed Gospel, John 1:19-28, as well as John valiant witness and the ultimate earthly result of that witness.

Part of the delay in posting this text was that a friend and colleague, the Reverend Robin Fish, Jr., offered to write an original tune for this text. A picture of the tune will be included below the text. Thank you, Robin.

Your feedback is appreciated.

The Lord Is Near! Oh, Bless His Name!

1. The Lord is near! Oh, bless His name!

Rejoice, give thanks, and sing.

O mouth, cry out! His praise proclaim.

Make welcome Christ, your King.

2. Make straight a highway smooth and broad.

Oh, clear the Savior’s way.

With humble faith prepare His road.

He comes to you today.

3. Forsake the call of silk and gold,

And all false joy disdain.

True wealth, eternal joy behold

In Him who comes to reign.

4. Confess your Jesus valiantly

Before the faithless horde.

Confess Him boldly. Do not flee!

And trust in Christ the Lord.

5. Should blood be shed, if enemies 

Of Christ seek your demise,

Our Father, who looks on and sees,

Bestows the martyr’s prize.

6. O child of faith, your King is here!

Let all your doubting cease.

Prepare your heart and do not fear!

He comes to bring you peace.

(c) 2019 Alan Kornacki. Jr.

CM (86 86)

Tunes: DETROIT (LSB 843)

OR ADVENT IV (Below)
Advent IV; Christian Life