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Of the Father’s Love Begotten ~ Hymn 108

By: Alan Harvey

Posted: June 8, 2020

Category: Daily Devotional

Devotional Thoughts Based on the Glory to God Hymnal

Matthew 1:20

But just when he (Joseph) resolved to do this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.

Matthew 1:20 is alluded to in the third verse of this hymn. “O, that birth forever blessed, when the Virgin, full of grace by the Holy Ghost, conceiving bore the Savior of the race, and the babe, the world’s Redeemer, first revealed his sacred face, evermore and evermore. Amen.”

The Glory to God commentator noted: “Seldom has the wonder of the incarnation been expressed so beautifully as in this text created in the era when the Apostles and Nicene Creeds were being codified and mindful of similar theological affirmations. It is set here to a plain chant melody from the late Middle Ages.”

The plainchant intensifies the great mysteries that the lyrics express. One’s first attempt to sing this song can be frustrating but press on and discover still a beautiful hymn for Christmastide.

Prayer

Dear God, thank You for the treasure chest full of Christmas carols and hymns to celebrate Jesus’ birth. This miracle has inspired song writers for years. Most recently, “Mary, Did You as we sing of the birth of our Savior.   Amen.