Our goal for advent? A Sunday hymn “Nearer, My God, to Thee”

I was listening to some instrumental music this week and the old hymn “Nearer, My God, to Thee” came on.  Survivors of the Titanic reported that it was the last song played on the ship before it sank.  However, it struck me that we so emphasize God’s coming to Earth that we often overlook God’s ultimate goal for his coming:  That we would be nearer to him.  Jesus’ atoning work would again make it possible for man’s dwelling to be with God.  Jesus invited us to abide with Him (John 15) and the Holy Spirit is our Guide and Comfort.

So, the question for me (and for us) this advent is, “Am I drawing nearer to God?”  It seems like it should be a mark of a growing familiar friendship with God.

Here are the lyrics of that hymn:

Nearer, my God, to Thee, nearer to Thee!

E’en though it be a cross that raiseth me,

Still all my song shall be, nearer, my God, to Thee.

Refrain

Nearer, my God, to Thee,

Nearer to Thee!

Though like the wanderer, the sun gone down,

Darkness be over me, my rest a stone.

Yet in my dreams I’d be nearer, my God to Thee.

Refrain

There let the way appear, steps unto Heav’n;

All that Thou sendest me, in mercy given;

Angels to beckon me nearer, my God, to Thee.

Refrain

Then, with my waking thoughts bright with Thy praise,

Out of my stony griefs Bethel I’ll raise;

So by my woes to be nearer, my God, to Thee.

Refrain

Or, if on joyful wing cleaving the sky,

Sun, moon, and stars forgot, upward I’ll fly,

Still all my song shall be, nearer, my God, to Thee.

Refrain

There in my Father’s home, safe and at rest,

There in my Savior’s love, perfectly blest;

Age after age to be, nearer my God to Thee.

Refrain

And now, for one of the more modern versions of it on the Internet, The Piano Guys’ version (for 9 cellos):

 

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