Christmas Hymn: "Come, Thou Redeemer of the Earth"

This evening I’m sharing another rich Christmas hymn: "Come, Thou Redeemer of the Earth."

Originally written in Latin, “Veni, Redemptor gentium”, the lyrics are attributed to St. Ambrose of Milan around the year 397. The words were translated into English by John M. Neale in 1862. The music was adapted in 1609 by Michael Praetorius.

You can listen and follow along here:

Come thou Redeemer of the earth,
Come, testify thy wondrous birth:
All lands admire, all times applaud:
Such is the birth that fits our God.

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;
Runs out his course to death and hell
Returning on God's high 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 eternal Son, to Thee;
Whose advent sets thy people free
Whom with the Father we adore,
And Holy Ghost, for evermore.

Amen.

Christmas Hymn: "See Amid the Winter Snow"

I am always on the hunt for a Christmas hymn, carol, or song that I’ve never heard before. I especially gravitate towards songs that flesh out the narrative of the Nativity.

Today’s Christmas hymns is entitled “See Amid the Winter Snow.” The words were written by Edward Caswall in 1858.

The tune has remained much the same, today. You can read the lyrics below and then listen to a modern recording by Fernando Ortega:


See Amid the Winter Snow

1. See, amid the winter’s snow,
born for us on earth below,
see the tender Lamb appears,
promised from eternal years.

Refrain:
Hail! Thou ever-blessed morn!
Hail, redemption’s happy dawn!
Sing through all Jerusalem,
“Christ is born in Bethlehem.”

2. Lo, within a manger lies
He who built the starry skies;
He, who throned in height sublime,
sits amid the cherubim!

Refrain

3. Say, ye holy shepherds, say,
what your joyful news today;
wherefore have ye left your sheep
on the lonely mountain steep?

Refrain

4. Sacred Infant, all divine,
what a tender love was Thine;
thus to come from highest bliss
down to such a world as this!

Refrain

5. “As we watched at dead of night,
lo, we saw a wondrous light;
angels singing ‘Peace on earth’
told us of the Savior’s birth.”

Refrain

"Thou Who Wast Rich Beyond All Splendor"

A few years ago I was introduced to the trio, Ordinary Time. On one of their Christmas albums, they sang the hymn, Thou Who Wast Rich Beyond All Splendor. Since that first hearing, I fell in love with the lyrics and tune. It is a quintessential Advent hymn.

Here are the three verses, in graphic form:

 

Hope: Come Thou Long Expected Jesus

It's a simple post kind of night. Here's the words of a great HOPE-filled Christmas hymn for the 6th day of Advent: