From the Far-blazing Gate of Morn

For Christmas Day, At Lauds

Words: A Solis Ortus Cardine, by Caius Coelius Sedulius, Fifth Century

Translation:  Father Edward Caswall, Birmingham Oratory, 1848.

Source: Rev. Edward Caswall, Lyra Catholica: containing all the hymns of the Roman Breviary and Missal (New York: G. Dunigan And Brother, 1851), pp. 27-28.

Also found in Orby Shipley, Annus Sanctus: Hymns of the Church for the Ecclesiastical Year. Vol. 1. (London and New York: Burns and Oates, 1884), p. 39.

From the far-blazing gate of morn
    To earth's remotest shore,
Let every tongue confess to Him
    Whom holy Mary bore.

Lo! the great Maker of the world,
    Lord of eternal years,
To save his creatures, veil'd beneath
    A creature's form appears.

A spotless maiden's virgin breast
    With heav'nly grace He fills;
In her pure womb He is conceived,
    And there in secret dwells.

That bosom, chastity's sweet home,
    Becomes, oh, blest reward!
The shrine of Heav'n's immortal King,
    The temple of the Lord.

And Mary bears the babe, foretold
    By an Archangel's voice;
Whose presence made the Baptist leap,
    And in the womb rejoice.

A manger scantly strewn with hay
    Becomes th' Eternal's bed;
And He, who feeds each smallest bird,
    Himself with milk is fed.

Straightway with joy the Heav'ns are fill'd,
    The hosts angelic sing;
And shepherds hasten to adore
    Their Shepherd and their King.

Praise to the Father! praise to Thee,
    Thou Virgin's holy Son!
Praise to the Spirit Paraclete,
    While endless ages run.

Note from Shipley:

41. A Solis Ortus Cardine. An alphabetical Hymn. Lauds Breviary Hymn, by Caius Coelius Sedulius, Fifth Century. From the far-blazing gate of morn. Father Edward Caswall, Birmingham Oratory, 1848. 39

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