Advent 2024: Mon 23 Dec
Corde natus [of the Father’s heart begotten]
This is a beautiful hymn. It was written by Prudentius (b. 348). There aren’t that many carols that get so close to the events, but Prudentius doesn’t give us a narrative at all, but a deep refection on the nature of Christ Jesus. I would have included it with our earlier reflection on the mystery of the Incarnation, but it deserves a day of its own.
Corde natus ex parentis
Ante mundi exordium
A et O cognominatus,
ipse fons et clausula
Omnium quæ sunt, fuerunt,
quæque post futura sunt.
Sæculorum sæculis.
Not only do we see John 1 in the opening verses but also the glorious revelation (from the book of that name) of Christ Jesus as the beginning and the end of all things, the Alpha and the Omega (first and last letters of the Greek alphabet). Verse 3 talks of the Incarnation, the impending death of Jesus that would release us from eternal death.
The next verse tells of his birth to Mary (There are two translations into English found in hymn books. I’ve taken this verse from an earlier translator as I think it’s better). The final verse is a call to heaven and earth to sing the praise of Christ Jesus.
Of the Father's heart begotten,
Ere the world from chaos rose,
He is Alpha, from that Fountain
All that is and hath been flows;
He is Omega, of all things,
Yet to come the mystic Close,
Evermore and evermore.
By His Word was all created
He commanded and 'twas done;
Earth and sky and boundless ocean,
Universe of three in one,
All that sees the moon's soft radiance,
All that breathes beneath the sun,
Evermore and evermore.
He assumed this mortal body,
Frail and feeble, doomed to die,
That the race from dust created,
Might not perish utterly,
Which the dreadful Law had sentenced
In the depths of hell to lie,
Evermore and evermore.
O that birth forever blessèd,
When the virgin, full of grace,
By the Holy Ghost conceiving,
Bore the Saviour of our race;
And the Babe, the world's Redeemer,
First revealed His sacred face,
Evermore and evermore!
Sing, ye heights of heaven, his praises;
Angels and Archangels, sing!
Wheresoe’er ye be, ye faithful,
Let your joyous anthems ring,
Every tongue his name confessing,
Countless voices answering,
Evermore and evermore.
The melody I love has a dum-dee dum-dee slow lilt to it, but it is flattened out in some renditions. It’s still more than passable.
Paul