Advent

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 descended, our full homage to demand.

Rank on rank the host of heaven spreads its vanguard on the way,
As the light of light descending from the realm of endless day,
That the powers of hell may vanish as the darkness clears away.

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!"

- Liturgy of St. James (the hymn for yesterday's vespers office in The Divine Hours)