Georg Weissel (1590-1635) was the first pastor of the Altrossgarter Church in Konigsberg. He wrote more than 20 hymns during his time there, including “Mach hoch die Tur” (“Open the Door”), which was originally written as a processional for the dedication of that church building. He drew his inspiration from Psalm 24:7, “Lift up your heads, O gates! and be lifted up, O ancient doors! that the King of glory may come in” – making this the oldest source of any Christmas Carol, from more than 29 centuries ago.

It comes to us in English through the ministry of Catherine Winkworth (1827-1878). She was a prolific translator of hymns from German to English, giving us such standards as “Praise Ye the Lord, the Almighty,” “Now Thank We All Our God,” and “Jesus, Priceless Treasure.” It is her translation, to the tune Truro, that we sing during Advent.

In English prose we commonly use a bit of description to indicate a change in the person being addressed, along the lines of “After I said this to Tom, I turned and told Alice … ” But you don’t always get that in poetry, such as in the psalms and also in this hymn: the person being addressed varies from verse to verse, without giving any stage directions. We should notice, then, that in the first stanza we sing to the gates; in the second stanza we exhort one another; and in the third we pray to Jesus.

1. Lift up your heads, ye mighty gates, Behold, the King of glory waits;
The King of kings is drawing near; The Savior of the world is here!

2. Fling wide the portals of your heart; Make it a temple, set apart 
From earthly use for heaven’s employ, Adorned with prayer, and love, and joy.

3. Redeemer, come! I open wide My heart to Thee: here, Lord, abide.  
Let me Thy inner presence feel; Thy grace and love in me reveal.

Here’s a version by First-Plymouth Church of Lincoln, Nebraska:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fTYDOfyW734