This past week I found myself studying the doctrine of the ‘eternal generation of the Son’ (you can read a couple of interesting articles on that HERE and HERE). I wasn’t introduced to that great doctrine until I took an elective course on the doctrine of the Trinity a few years ago. I somehow felt I had been robbed by not having learned about it sooner. There is beauty in it that I cannot describe. In light of that, this great hymn comes to mind, especially as we get closer to the Christmas season. In reference to the doctrine of the eternal sonship of Christ, the English translation begins with the words,
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.
It is one of those hymns that evokes Joy (of the C.S. Lewis variety) in me almost every time I hear it or sing it. You can also listen to a very interesting discussion about the ancient origins of the hymn, and its plainchant style, HERE. Enjoy:
