Of The Father's Love Begotten
Aurelius Clemens Prudentius was born in 348AD in Spain. A Christian Latin poet, Prudentius wrote a number of hymns, occasional Christian lyrics, and poems on saints. Although he held a high place at the Roman court, he eventually retired to devote himself to religion.
Prudentius has been called "the father of Christian allegory." Prudentius achieved distinction in government administration but retired in later life to write devotional poetry, becoming the first to use the classical Latin verse forms with complete success in the service of the new faith. His lyrical poetry includes Hymns for the Day, a cycle of twelve hymns for various times of the day, parts of which are still found in modern hymnals; and Crowns of Martyrdom, fourteen long poems celebrating the lives of martyrs, including "The Passion of Agnes." Prudentius also wrote two long didactic poems: Apotheosis, on the doctrine of the Trinity; and Hamartigenia (Origin of Sin), which attacks the Gnostic theologian Marcion. Other works include Psychomachia, an allegorical description of the struggle between (Christian) virtues and (pagan) vices; Contra Symmachum, a polemic against paganism based on the events of the year 384; and a series of 49 poems describing biblical scenes depicted in wall paintings on a Roman church--a valuable source on Christian iconography.
The date of the hymn's writing, though not entirely known, can be deduced through the life of Prudentius. Prudentius would have lived at the time of the Arian heresy and the Council at Nicea. The hymn reflects many of the statements set out in the Athanasian Creed.
A look at the theology of this hymn reflects the unique nature of Christ as reflected in this hymn.
The hymn has become a standard Christmas hymn in the church, usually in association with John 1:1-18.
Of the Father's Love Begotten
by Aurelius C. Prudentius, 413, cento
Translated by John. M. Neale, 1818-1866
and Henry W. Baker, 1821-1977
1.
Of the Father's love begotten
Ere the worlds began to be,
He is Alpha and Omega,
He the Source, the Ending He,
Of the things that are, that have been,
And that future years shall see
Evermore and evermore.
The hymn starts straight off on why a small baby was born in Bethlehem. There was a cosmic quality to this birth, an eternal element, an ingredient that defies reason and logic. “Of the Father’s love begotten.” God so love the world that he gave his one and only Son that whoever believes in him should not perish but have everlasting life (John 3:16). And this begetting occurred before the world was created! The joyful message of Christmas is this: God knew what all people would do before he created the world and us people in it. He knew what each of us would do before he created each one of us. Yet he still created the world, and he still sent His Son to die for us. No matter what you did, you are forgiven through the blood of Christ.
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