Universalis

Thursday 24 December 2009

Advent Hymns - 26



Come, Thou Redeemer of the earth,
And manifest Thy virgin birth:
Let every age adoring fall;
Such birth befits the God of all.

Begotten of no human will,
But of the Spirit, Thou art still
The Word of God in flesh arrayed,
The promised Fruit to man displayed.

The virgin womb that burden gained
With virgin honour all unstained;
The banners there of virtue glow;
God in His temple dwells below.

Forth from His chamber goeth He,
That royal home of purity,
A giant in twofold substance one,
Rejoicing now His course to run.

From God the Father He proceeds,
To God the Father back He speeds;
His course He runs to death and hell,
Returning on God’s throne to dwell.

O equal to the Father, Thou!
Gird on Thy fleshly mantle now;
The weakness of our mortal state
With deathless might invigorate.

Thy cradle here shall glitter bright,
And darkness breathe a newer light,
Where endless faith shall shine serene,
And twilight never intervene.

All laud to God the Father be,
All praise, eternal Son, to Thee;
All glory, as is ever meet,
To God the Holy Paraclete.

St Ambrose (340-397)
Translated J M Neale (1818-1866)

Well, tomorrow I shall be starting a new series of posts entitled 'Christmas Carols.' Also, of course, the blog will return to its usual cheery colour scheme!

3 comments:

joannaB73 said...

Christmas Blessings Peter; I expect you have a white Christmas there.

Jackie Parkes MJ said...

Happy Christmas Peter..loved this picture!

Peter Simpson said...

Joanna - yes indeed! We have had thick snow, and it has snowed more during the night. ! am off to Mass of the Day in my wellington boots. I shall remember you and Jackie (and her all her clan!) at the Mass.