O Christ, The World's Redemption

Ambrosian Vespers Breviary Hymn For Christmas.

From The Primer, 1706

Source: Orby Shipley, Annus Sanctus: Hymns of the Church for the Ecclesiastical Year. Vol. 1. (London and New York: Burns and Oates, 1884), Appendix pp. 19, 21.

O Christ, the world's redemption,
Co-partner of your Father's throne,
Whose equal unbeginning light
With lustre filled primeval night.

Reflection of your Father's rays,
The hope and end of all our ways,
With gracious ear our vows attend,
Whilst round the world our prayers ascend.

Remember you, O gracious Lord,
The eternal God's co-equal Word,
In Virgin's womb a creature made,
Our nature wore for nature's aid.

Witness this joyful noon of night,
When you alone, our endless light,
Descended from your Father's throne,
Brought down the world's redemption.

For this glad earth erects her head,
The waters purl and wash their bed,
The joyful spheres in music roll,
Heaven and earth your birth extol.

Whilst these contrive new ways to sing,
New life restored, the new born king ;
We ransomed, most of all rejoice
With double hymns of heart and voice.

May age to age for ever sing
The Virgin's Son and angels' king ;
And praise with the celestial host
The Father, Son and Holy Ghost.

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