“Of the Father’s Love Begotten”

he sublime hymn “Of the Father’s Love Begotten” has, through the centuries, come to adorn the celebration of Christmas with profound theological richness, inviting believers to gaze beyond the manger to the eternal glory of the incarnate Son. Though often sung amid the warmth of Advent and Christmastide, its verses transcend seasonal sentiment, proclaiming the timeless truth that the Child born in Bethlehem is none other than the everlasting Word, begotten of the Father before all worlds. In this sacred poetry, the joy of the Nativity is firmly rooted in the eternal decree of God’s love, whereby the Second Person of the Trinity assumed human flesh to fulfill the ancient prophecies and accomplish the redemption of His people. This enduring masterpiece was penned by Aurelius Clemens Prudentius (348 – c. 413), a distinguished Roman Christian poet born in northern Spain, who had a career in law and public service, serving as a judge and provincial governor under Emperor Theodosius I.

This, his most enduring contribution, the hymn Corde Natus ex Parentis drawn from his Liber Cathemerinon, boldly affirms the eternal deity of Christ against lingering Arian errors, declaring Him begotten—not created—of the Father’s essence before all worlds, the Alpha and Omega who governs all creation. It celebrates the incarnation as the fulfillment of ancient prophecies, wherein the eternal Son assumes human flesh in the virgin’s womb to accomplish redemption, shining as the long-expected Light who conquers sin and death. Prudentius’ work inspires believers today by anchoring the joy of Christ’s birth in the unchanging truth of Scripture: the Son’s eternal generation from the Father ensures the full divinity essential to our salvation, for only the God-man can atone for sin and reconcile us to God. As voices across the ages join in proclaiming “Evermore and evermore,” we are stirred to worship with unwavering confidence in the sovereign, triune God whose love planned our redemption from eternity past.

Listen to This Beautiful Hymn Here

1. 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.

2. At His word the worlds were framéd;
He commanded, it was done:
Heav’n and earth and depths of ocean,
In their threefold order one;
All that grows beneath the shining
Of the moon and burning sun—
[Evermore and evermore.]

3. He was found in human fashion,
Death and sorrow here to know,
That the race of Adam’s children,
Doomed by law to endless woe,
May not henceforth die and perish
In the dreadful gulf below—
[Evermore and evermore.]

4. O that birth forever blesséd,
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.]

5. This is He whom seers in old time
Chanted of with one accord,
Whom the voices of the prophets
Promised in their faithful word;
Now He shines, the long-expected;
Let creation praise its Lord—
[Evermore and evermore.]

6. O ye heights of Heav’n adore Him!
Angel hosts His praises sing!
All dominions bow before Him
And exalt our God and King.
Let no tongue on Earth be silent,
Every voice in concert ring—
[Evermore and evermore.]

7. 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.]

For unto us a child is born!
Merry Christmas!
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