"Wide-Eyed Wonder" 12/16/25

Dear Brothers & Sisters,

We grow accustomed to things, even marvelous things. There is nothing quite like seeing the wide-eyed wonder in the eyes of a child who has for the first time seen the bursts of color and sound that we call "fireworks," yet for many grown-ups that same wonder is "just another fireworks show". This is only one illustration of many but the observation certainly carries over into the Advent Season. Advent is the season when Christians around the world celebrate the coming of Christ into this troubled world and wait in anticipation of his coming again. This should always be wonderful to us in the full sense of the word (full of wonder). But as the wonder of that first glance gives way to memory our mind must be renewed to see the freshness of that "old old story."

In the interest of renewing a sense of wonder, below are two hymns that have been largely forgotten in evangelical Christians circles. The first hymn Of the Father's Love Begotten, a declaration of faith in Jesus Christ the Son of God, was originally a poem written in Latin by Aurelius Clemens Prudentius (5th century AD) and later translated into English and set to music. The second hymn Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence was adapted in 1864 from the Liturgy of St. James (5th century AD) and is a cry for mankind to be still in awe that "Christ our God to earth descendeth our full homage to demand". 

I posted the lyrics below for your contemplation, along with links to an audio recording and some Scriptures related to the theme of each hymn.

Of the Father's Love Begotten (two versions)

https://youtu.be/AACo2zzHMbQ?si=HzakkoWgGVy0TcYZ

https://youtu.be/2DnQ2tTbcSE?si=RYUVeKpHdA3P5GCw

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.

2. At his word the worlds were framèd;

He commanded, it was done:

Heav’n and earth and depths of ocean,

In their threefold order one;

All that grows beneath the shining

Of the moon and burning sun—

[Evermore and evermore.]

3. He was found in human fashion,

Death and sorrow here to know,

That the race of Adam’s children,

Doomed by law to endless woe,

May not henceforth die and perish

In the dreadful gulf below—

[Evermore and evermore.]

4. O that birth forever blessèd,

When the virgin, full of grace,

By the Holy Ghost conceiving,

Bore the Savior of our race,

And the babe, the world’s Redeemer,

First revealed his sacred face—

[Evermore and evermore.]

5. This is he whom seers in old time

Chanted of with one accord,

Whom the voices of the prophets

Promised in their faithful word;

Now he shines, the long-expected;

Let creation praise its Lord—

[Evermore and evermore.]

6. O ye heights of Heav’n adore him!

Angel hosts his praises sing!

All dominions bow before him

And exalt our God and King.

Let no tongue on Earth be silent,

Every voice in concert ring—

[Evermore and evermore.]

7. Christ! to thee with God the Father,

And O Holy Ghost, to thee,

Hymn and chant and high thanksgiving

And unwearied praises be,

Honor, glory, and dominion,

And eternal victory—

[Evermore and evermore.]

Source: Hymns and Devotions for Daily Worship #35

Some scriptures alluded to: 

Verse 1 - John 1:1-4, 14; Rev. 22:13, Rev. 1:8, Rev. 21:6, Ps. 2:7, Heb. 1:5

Verse 2 - John 1:1-4

Verse 4 - Luke 1:35, Matt. 1:18, 21

Verse 5 - 2 Peter 1:16-21

Verse 6 - Ps. 148:1-2, Ps. 150:6

Verse 7 - Revelation 5:11-14

Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence

https://youtu.be/Q8ByNT1m8V4?si=J7FekqoxqktW9Y4z

1 Let all mortal flesh keep silence,

and with fear and trembling stand;

ponder nothing earthly minded,

for, with blessing in His hand,

Christ our God to earth descendeth,

our full homage to demand.

2 King of kings, yet born of Mary,

as of old on earth He stood,

Lord of lords, in human vesture,

in the body and the blood.

He will give to all the faithful

His own self for heav'nly food.

3 Rank on rank the host of heaven

spreads its vanguard on the way,

as the Light of light descendeth

from the realms of endless day,

that the pow'rs of hell may vanish

as the darkness clears away.

4 At His feet the six-winged seraph,

cherubim with sleepless eye,

veil their faces to the Presence,

as with ceaseless voice they cry,

“Alleluia, alleluia,

alleluia, Lord Most High!”

Source: Psalms and Hymns to the Living God #229

Some scriptures alluded to:

Verse 1 - Habakkuk 2:20, Zech. 2:13

Verse 2 - Rev. 19:16, Luke 1:31, Luke 22:19-20

Verse 3 - John 1:5, Colossians 1:13, Matt. 16:27

Verse 4 - Isaiah 6:2-3, Revelation 4:8

Grace & Peace,

Matt