In a certain institution in Peterborough, this contemporary style worship song was regularly sung throughout the year at Pentecostalist Bible studies and Sunday services. It was one of the most popular songs used there and was sung along to a video showing the lyrics by charismatic worship music groups such as Hillsong or the like. Seeing those massed crowds on the screen worshipping together was a very emotive experience and, like the physical elation shown by the people on the video, would also elicit a similar response from those participating where I was. Such a demonstration of worship could not be further from my own reflective faith but I stood with them shoulder to shoulder in testimony of a faith in such a fragmented group of society.

The song is classified as an Advent song in the category of ‘the Promised Christ’ in my cherished copy of the Methodist Church’s ‘Singing the Faith’ which belonged to my dear late friend Andrew Clare.

Tim Hughes is an ordained C of E minister at Gas Street Church, Birmingham, set up in a disused warehouse. He had previously been Director of Worship at Holy Trinity Church, Brompton, London. This is possibly his most famous worship song but he has released six albums of worship music and has a huge following.

Paul Leddington Wright has been Director of Music at Coventry Cathedral and a conductor of Songs of Praise on which you will quite often also hear this song.