Christ is the World's True Light

This is a hymn for Advent.  It is also known as "How Can Earth's Wounds Be Healed" and "The Light of the World", and has been translated into Welsh as Goleuni'r byd yw Crist.

The words were written by English Anglican minister, educator and hymn writer George W. Briggs (1875-1959), and the hymn was first published in Songs of Praise (1931, Oxford University Press).

With 6.7.6.7.6.6.6.6, tunes it is set to include

• DARMSTADT, aka WAS FRAG ICH NACH DER WELT O GOTT DU FROMMER GOTT by Ahasuerus Fritsch (1629-1701)
• ST. JOAN by Percy E. B. Coller (b 1895)
• RINKART by Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750)

There is also a popular choral arrangement by Walter K. Stanton (1891-1978).

Downloads

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Includes a choral setting by W. K. Stanton.

Mixed choir setting based on RINKART, arranged by John Cook

Examples

Congregation with organ, tune ST JOAN

Instrumental (organ), tune - to be advised

Instrumental (piano), tune ST JOAN

Choral setting - Staunton

Lyrics

The lyrics are copyright so cannot be reproduced here. But they are currently available on this website. The hymn has three verses. A rough outline is:

Christ is the world’s true light, its captain of salvation ...

In Christ all peoples meet, their ancient feuds forgetting ...

One Lord, in one great name unite us all who own thee; cast ...

See also

• Hymns about Christ the King
• Praise hymns

KEEP IN CASE ORIGINAL IS REMOVED, BUT DO NOT DISPLAY
Christ is the world’s true light, its captain of salvation, The day-star clear and bright of every race and nation; New life, new hope awakes, where’er we own his sway; Freedom her bondage breaks and night is turned to day. 2 In Christ all peoples meet, their ancient feuds forgetting, The whole round world complete, from sunrise to its setting: When Christ is throned as Lord, we shall forsake our fear, To ploughshare bear the sword, to pruning-hook the spear. 3 One Lord, in one great name unite us all who own thee; cast Out our pride and shame that hinder to enthrone thee. The world has waited long, has travailed long in pain, To heal its ancient wrong; come, Prince of Peace, and reign!