1 Ye sons of men, oh, hearken:
Your heart and mind prepare;
To hail th’Almighty Savior,
O sinners, be your care.
He who of grace alone
Our Life and Light was given,
The promised Lord from heaven,
Unto our world is shown.

2 Prepare the way before Him;
Prepare for Him the best.
Cast out whate’er offendeth
This great, this heav’nly Guest.
Make straight, make plain, the way:
The lowly valleys raising,
The heights of pride abasing,
His path all even lay.

3 The humble heart and lowly
God lifteth up on high;
Beneath His feet in anguish
The haughty soul shall lie.
The heart, sincere and right,
That heeds God’s invitation
And makes true preparation,
It is the Lord’s delight.

4 Prepare my heart, Lord Jesus,
Turn not from me aside,
And grant that I receive Thee
This blessed Advent-tide.
From stall and manger low
Come Thou to dwell within me;
Loud praises will I sing Thee
And forth Thy glory show.

Amen.