The Fifth Day of Advent

Of the Father’s Love Begotten (arr. Mark Hayes)

This Divinum Mysterium plainsong chant dates back to the 12th century. The writer of the poetry was affirming the doctrine of the Trinity that the Church officially pronounced at the Council of Nicea in the fourth century, rejecting the teaching of Arius (who taught that Jesus was not the same divine nature as the Father), and creating the Nicene Creed – a creed to which virtually all Christian churches confess. When we sing this hymn, we proclaim with the Church Universal throughout the ages Christ’s fully divine nature.

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!

O 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!

This is He whom heav’n-taught singers
sang of old with one accord,
whom the Scriptures of the prophets
promised in their faithful word;
now He shines, the long expected;
let creation praise its Lord,
evermore and evermore!

O ye heights of heav’n, adore Him;
angel hosts, His praises sing:
all 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!

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!

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