Sharper Iron — The Hymns of Advent: Hark! A Thrilling Voice Is Sounding

Rev. Harrison Goodman, content executive for Higher Things, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Lutheran Service Book #345, “Hark! A Thrilling Voice Is Sounding.”

The season of Advent reminds us that God shows up. Christ doesn’t stay distant from us; He comes to us. We must listen to this proclamation, not just from John, but from our pastors still today. Christ has made us the children of the light, and so we cast away the works of darkness. The warning of the Law wakes us up to flee from sin and dwell in the light of Christ. He is the Lamb of God who comes from heaven to take away our sin; we run to Him as He comes to us for forgiveness. Having known Christ as Savior now, when He comes in glory on the Last Day, we will not be fearful but joyful for His mercy and love. For such salvation, honor, glory, might, and dominion belong to the Triune God alone!

“The Hymns of Advent” is a series on Sharper Iron that looks at a variety of the hymns found in the Advent section Lutheran Service Book. The season of Advent prepares us for Christ’s coming. The hymns of Advent teach that this is more than getting ready for Christmas; the Word of the Lord sung in hymnody helps us to receive Christ as He comes to us now in the means of grace and when He comes again in glory on the Last Day.

Sharper Iron, hosted by Rev. Timothy Appel, looks at the text of Holy Scripture both in its broad context and its narrow detail, all for the sake of proclaiming Christ crucified and risen for sinners. Two pastors engage with God’s Word to sharpen not only their own faith and knowledge, but the faith and knowledge of all who listen.

Sharper Iron is underwritten by Lutheran Church Extension Fund, where your investments help support the work of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. Visit lcef.org.

Lutheran Service Book 345

1 Hark! A thrilling voice is sounding!
“Christ is near,” we hear it say.
“Cast away the works of darkness,
All you children of the day!”

2 Startled at the solemn warning,
Let the earth-bound soul arise;
Christ, its sun, all sloth dispelling,
Shines upon the morning skies.

3 See, the Lamb, so long expected,
Comes with pardon down from heav’n.
Let us haste, with tears of sorrow,
One and all, to be forgiv’n:

4 So, when next He comes in glory
And the world is wrapped in fear,
He will shield us with His mercy
And with words of love draw near.

5 Honor, glory, might, dominion
to the Father and the Son
With the ever-living Spirit
While eternal ages run!

Text: Hark! A Thrilling Voice Is Sounding
Translator: Edward Caswall, 1814-78
Tune: MERTON
Composer: William H. Monk, 1823-89

Rev. Timothy Appel

Although a mathematics degree may not be incredibly helpful to (proudly born-and-raised Texan) Rev. Timothy Appel while hosting Sharper Iron, his love of CFW Walther and the season of Easter will come in handy. His Call is shepherding the flock at Faith Lutheran Church in Godfrey, Illinois, and he’s also husband to wife Kristin and dad to their growing basketball team of children. When he’s not carrying out pastoral duties, you may find him reading “The Lord of the Rings,” snacking on Reese’s peanut butter cups, playing dominoes with his boys, or studying up on Texas history (including Sam Houston, of course).