Divine Crescebas Puer

Hymnus 51.

Circumcision: Matins.

Words: Jean-Baptiste de Santeüil (1630-1697)
From the Paris Breviary, 1736

English Translation: In Stature Grows The Heavenly Child

Source: Rev. John Chandler, The Hymns of the Primitive Church (London: John W. Parker, 1837), p. 179.

Divine crescebas Puer,
    Crescendo discebas mori,
Hæc destinata tunc erant
    Mortis tuae praeludia.

Satus Deo, volens tegi,
    Elegit obscurum Patrem;
Qui fecit aeternis domos,
    Domo latet sub paupere.

Coelum manus quae sustinent
    Fabrile contrectant opus:
Supremus astrorum Parens
    Fit ipse vilis artifex.

Tremenda cujus praepetes
    Mandata portant Spiritus,
Cui pronus orbis subditur,
    Se sponte fabro subjicit.

Qui natus es de Virgine,
    Jesu, tibi sit gloria,
Cum Patre, cumque Spiritu,
    In sempiterna secula.

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