Thy Father's Bosom Thou Didst Leave

For Advent: Matins

Latin: Verbum Supernum Prodiens Nec Patris æterno sinu, No. 38.
Altered from Verbum supernum prodien a Patre (Latin, 6th or 7th Century; an Advent Hymn), with notes

Another Translations: Celestial Word, To This Our Earth
O Heavenly Word, Eternal Light

Source: Rev. John Chandler, The Hymns of the Primitive Church (London: John W. Parker, 1837), pp. 41-42.

Thy Father's bosom thou didst leave,
Eternal Word of God;
On earth awhile, to save mankind,
Thou madest thine abode.

Enlighten, then, our breasts, we pray,
Inflame them with thy love:
And fill our renovated hearts
With rapture from above.

That so, when sinners shall be doomed
To endless flames in hell,
And thou shalt summon thine elect,
With Thee on high to dwell,

We may not to that curst abode,
In that fierce storm be driven,
But see the face of God on high,
And share the joys of heaven.

To Father, Son, and Holy Ghost,
One God, whom we adore,
All praise and glory be ascribed,
Both now and evermore.

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