In the quest to expand our appreciation for ancient musical contributions to the Advent season, we now move on from the 4th century's Jesus Refulsit Omnium to a 6th century carol that found new life in 1907 at the pen of English composer Gustav Theodore Holst: Jesu, Thou the Virgin Born. The lyrics are attributed to an anonymous author, along with three other pieces sewn together in Holst's Four Old English Carols. Enjoy these well-translated lyrics (credit J.M. Neale):
Jesu, the Father's only Son,
Whose death for man's redemption won,
Before the worlds, of God most high,
Begotten all ineffably.
The Father's light and splendor Thou
Their endless hope to Thee that bow:
Accept the prayers and praise today
That through the world Thy servants pay.
Salvation's author, call to mind
How, taking the form of humankind,
Born of a Virgin undefiled,
Thou in man's flesh becomes a child.
Thus testifies the present day
Through every year in long array,
That Thou, salvation's source alone
Proceedest from the Father's throne.
Whence sky, and stars, and sea's abyss,
And earth, and all that therein is,
Shall still with laud and carol meet
the Author of Thine advent greet.
And we, who by Thy precious blood
From sin redeemed, are marked for God,
On this the day that saw Thy birth,
Sing the new song of ransomed earth.
All honor, laud and glory be,
O Jesu, Virgin-born, to Thee;
Whom with the Father we adore,
And Holy Ghost forevermore. Amen.
In reflecting on these lyrics, do any Scriptures come to mind? In His kindness, the Lord brought to my mind:
1 Timothy 1:17 - To the King of the ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever. Amen.
Jude 24-25 - Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.
1 Peter 2:9-10 - But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who call you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Once you were not a people, but now you are God's people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.
John 1:9 - The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world.
Romans 5:17 - For if, because of one man's trespass, death reigned through that one man, much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man Jesus Christ.
2 Corinthians 5:21 - For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
Isaiah 9:2-7 - The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shone. You have multiplied the nation; you have increased its joy; they rejoice before you as with joy at the harvest, as they are glad when they divide the spoil. For the yoke of his burden, and the staff for his shoulder, the rod of his oppressor, you have broken as on the day of Midian. For every boot of the tramping warrior in battle tumult and every garment rolled in blood will be burned as fuel for the fire. For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this.
With slight variations in the lyrics, enjoy these ancient renditions:
From ancient times and those yet to be granted, may the Lord be praised with a myriad of truth-upholding expressions.
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