Of the Father’s Love Begotten (Evangelical Lutheran Worship 295)
1 Of the Father’s love begotten
ere the worlds began to be,
he is Alpha and Omega,
he the source, the ending he,
of the things that are, that have been,
and that future years shall see,
evermore and evermore.
2 Oh, that birth forever blessed,
when the virgin, full of grace,
by the Holy Ghost conceiving,
bore the Savior of our race,
and the babe, the world’s redeemer,
first revealed his sacred face,
evermore and evermore.
3 This is he whom seers in old time
chanted of with one accord,
whom the voices of the prophets
promised in their faithful word;
now he shines, the long-expected;
let creation praise its Lord
evermore and evermore.
4 Let the heights of heav’n adore him;
angel hosts, his praises sing;
pow’rs, dominions, bow before him
and extol our God and King;
let no tongue on earth be silent,
ev’ry voice in concert ring
evermore and evermore.
5 Christ, to thee, with God the Father,
and, O Holy Ghost, to thee,
hymn and chant and high thanksgiving
and unwearied praises be:
honor, glory, and dominion,
and eternal victory
evermore and evermore.
Text: Marcus Aurelius Clemens Prudentius; Music: Plainsong mode V; Public Domain
Devotion
Most of our Christmas carols point only vaguely, if at all, to the story’s end. We like to focus on the baby, the angels, the shepherds, with Mary pondering the wonder of that silent night. This lovely hymn invites our thoughts to reach into the cosmic significance of that holy night of incarnation—the arrival of the One the prophets said would be a redeemer and a king, and win victory. It’s all quite wonderful, but it is incomplete. The cross is not found among this hymn’s lines, since we tend to save that for the end, for Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. But that season will come as surely as Christmas did, and just as much for our good. The baby Jesus will grow up and teach and heal and preach and do much more to become the Redeemer and King, and win the victory the old seers looked for by going to the cross—the cross that is just as much begotten from the Father’s love as that first silent, holy night.
Prayer
Loving and gracious God, lead us all the way through your story to its surprising end. Keep the wonder of that first silent night in our pondering hearts as we listen to your Word incarnate and follow him towards the cross. Amen.