The Hymns and Carols of Christmas

Statuta decreto Dei

For Advent: Evensong.

Words: Charles Coffin, from the Paris Breviary, 1736

English Translations:
The Rolling Years At Length Fulfil

Deep Hidden, By Divine Decree
Predestinate of God Most High

Source: Carolo Coffin, Hymni Sacri (Paris: Usuum Parisiensium, 1736), pp. 35-36.

    Statuta decreto Dei 
Tandem propinquant tempora: 
Emptus tot annorum morâ 
Affulget è cœlo dies.

    Patris nefando crimine 
Proles jacebat saucia: 
In mortis umbrâ conditum 
Sedebat humanum genus.

    Morti secundæ debitos 
Et sempiternis ignibus 
Horrenda justi Judicis 
Manebat expectatio.

    Heu! quis ruinæ tam gravis 
Sarcire damna; quæ manus 
Afferre tam grandi queat 
Parem medelam vulneri?

    Tu, Christe, tu solus tuo 
Delapsus è throno Deus , 
Imagini potes tuæ 
Formam decusque reddere.

    Rorate cœli desuper, 
Justumque fœcundo sinu 
Complexa tellus perdito 
Orbi salutem germinet.

    Sit sempiterna laus tìbi, 
Verbum Patris factum caro , 
Cum Patre cumque Spiritu, 
Nunc & per omne seculum.

Amen.

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