Advent Sequence Hymn

Thou forever our salvation,
Thou the life of all creation,
Thou our hope of restoration,
Thou the never failing light;

Grieving for man's loss impending,
By the tempter's wiles pretending,
Camest down Thine aid extending,
Leaving not the starry height.

In our flesh Thy glory veiling,
All on earth, in ruin failing,
Thou didst save by might prevailing,
Bringing joy to all our race.

Grant, O Christ, Thine expiation,
Unto us Thine own creation,
Take us for an habitation,
Cleansed for Thyself to grace.

By Thy first humiliation,
Grant us, Lord, justification;
When again in exaltation
Thou shalt come, O set us free.

When in glory manifested,
Thou the secret heart has tested,
In unsullied robes invested
May we closely follow Thee!

--Text: Salus aeterna, Advent Sequence Hymn, before 1000. Translated by C. B. Pearson, 1871 and F. E. Warren, 1911.
--Tune: Jesus Christus Nostra Salus, Walter, 1524, 88.87