The Advent of Our King

“The Advent of Our King” is an English translation of a Latin Advent hymn by Charles Coffin, a French hymn writer and theologian who served as principal of the College of Beauvais and later as rector of the University of Paris. The original Latin hymn, beginning “Instantis adventum Dei,” appeared in the Paris Breviary of 1736. Robert Campbell translated the text into English, making it accessible to English-speaking congregations. The hymn calls Christians to prepare their hearts for the coming of Jesus Christ and to welcome Him with songs of holy joy.

The opening stanza directs the worshipper's thoughts toward the advent of the King. Rather than treating Christ's coming as merely a historical event to remember, the hymn calls for a personal response of joyful expectation. Its second stanza celebrates the mystery of the eternal Son becoming human. Christ takes the form of a servant to set His people free, reflecting Philippians 2:7, which declares that He “made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant” (KJV). The hymn thus connects the humility of Christ's first coming with His saving work.

The text also calls Zion to welcome her King and receive the pardon He brings. This invitation emphasizes the need for repentance and faith in response to God's grace. Christ did not come merely to provide an example of humility, but to accomplish salvation for His people. The hymn therefore combines joyful celebration with a serious call to spiritual readiness.

Another important theme is the return of Christ. The hymn looks forward to His coming in glory, when He will gather His own people to everlasting joy. This future hope gives the Advent season a wider meaning, connecting the remembrance of Christ's birth with the expectation of His return. The final stanza concludes with praise to Christ, the Father, and the Holy Ghost, bringing the hymn to a distinctly Trinitarian close.

The tune OPTATUS VOTIS OMNIUM is associated with this hymn in historic and modern hymnals. The text is also sung to other melodies, including ST. THOMAS, composed by Aaron Williams. The original composer of OPTATUS VOTIS OMNIUM is not stated in the cited hymn record. Through its combination of expectation, repentance, salvation, and praise, “The Advent of Our King” remains a fitting hymn for worship during the Advent season.