Sunday, December 18, 2016

The oldest Christmas Carol - Corde Natus Ex Parentis

This was written by the roman poet Prudentius in the late fourth or very early fifth century, although there is some argument that Veni Redemptor Gentiuma carol by Ambrose (Bishop of Milan and one of the Church Fathers) was the first.  Interestingly, both are still performed today over 1600 years after they were written.



Corde natus ex parentis
Ante mundi exordium
A et O cognominatus,
ipse fons et clausula
Omnium quæ sunt, fuerunt,
quæque post futura sunt.
Sæculorum sæculis.

Of the Father's heart begotten,
Ere the world from chaos rose,
He is Alpha, from that Fountain
All that is and hath been flows;
He is Omega, of all things,
Yet to come the mystic Close,
Evermore and evermore.

2 comments:

West, By God said...

Originally in Greek, of course. But just as old.

Troparion
"Thy nativity, O Christ our God,
has shown to the world the light of wisdom;
for by it, those who worshipped the stars
were taught by a star to adore Thee
the Sun of Righteousness,
and to know Thee, the Orient from on high.
O Lord, glory to Thee."

Kontakion
"Today the virgin, gives birth to the incomprehensible One;
and the earth offers a cave to the unapproachable One;
Angels and shepherds glorify Him;
the Wisemen journey with a star;
since for our sakes is born the ETERNAL GOD, as a little Child."

West, By God said...

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=6cCIe_FXUCY