Jesus, Redeemer, Ere the Light

For Christmas and Circumcision

Words: Jesu Redemptor Onmium. Revised from Christe redemptor gentium.

Translation:  Very Rev. Provost F. C. Husenbeth, 1840-1841, from the Vespers Book.

Source: Orby Shipley, Annus Sanctus: Hymns of the Church for the Ecclesiastical Year. Vol. 1. (London and New York: Burns and Oates, 1884), pp. 33-34.

Jesus, Redeemer, ere the light, 
Born in transcendant glory bright ; 
Effulgent thou, with equal beam 
Proceeding from thy Sire supreme ; 

Thee the great Father's light we know, 
Eternal hope of all below, 
Regard our prayer, to thee we fly, 
Oh, hear thy suppliant servants' cry. 

Redeemer, blest Creator, thou 
For our redemption once didst bow ; 
Assuming, to avert our doom, 
Man's nature from the Virgin's womb. 

This joyful day returns to prove 
That miracle of boundless love, 
When by the Father's only Son 
The world's salvation was begun. 

Him the bright stars, the earth, the sea 
And all beneath heaven's canopy, 
The author of our birth anew, 
Praise with new hymns and glory due. 

And we, whom thy atoning blood 
Has cleansed with pure redeeming flood, 
With hymns on this thy natal-day, 
The tribute of our homage pay. 

Jesus, of Virgin born, to thee 
May praise and glory ever be, 
With Father and with Holy Ghost, 
By men and heaven's eternal host. 

Note from Shipley:

Jesu, Redemptor omnium. Revised from Christe, Redemptor gentium. Ambrosian Vespers Breviary Hymn.

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