O Christ, Our True and Only Light
Johann Heermann, 1630; tr. Catherine Winkworth, 1858· Post-Reformation
Verse 1
O Christ, our true and only Light,
Illumine those who sit in night;
Let those afar now hear Thy voice,
And in Thy fold with us rejoice.
Verse 2
And all who else have strayed from Thee,
O gently seek; Thy healing be
To every wounded conscience given,
And let them also share Thy heaven.
Verse 3
O make the deaf to hear Thy word,
And teach the dumb to speak, dear Lord,
Who dare not yet the faith avow
Though secretly they hold it now.
Verse 4
Shine on the darkened and the cold;
Recall the wanderers from Thy fold;
Unite those now who walk apart;
Confirm the weak and doubting heart.
Verse 5
So they with us may evermore
Such grace with wondering thanks adore,
And endless praise to Thee be given
By all the Church in earth and heaven.