O How Shall I Receive Thee?

Verse 1

Oh, how shall I receive thee, how meet thee on thy way, bless’d hope of ev’ry nation, my soul’s delight and stay? O Jesus, Jesus, give me now by thine own pure light to know whate’er is pleasing and welcome in thy sight.

Verse 2

Love caused thine incarnation; Love brought thee here to me. Thy thirst for my salvation procured my liberty. Oh, love beyond all telling, that led thee to embrace, in love, all love excelling, our troubled human race.

Verse 3

Thou comest, Christ, with gladness, in mercy and goodwill, to bring an end to sadness and bid our fears be still. We welcome thee, our Savior; come gather us to thee, that in thy light eternal our joyous home may be.