Of the Father’s Love Begotten.  by Aurelius Clemens Prudentius (348-413), translated by J. M. Neale and H. W. Baker.  From Cantus Christi, pg. 246.

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!

At His Word the worlds were framed
He commanded; it was done
Heaven and earth and depths of ocean
In their three-fold order, one
All that grows beneath the shining
Of the moon and burning sun
Evermore and evermore!

He is 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!

O that birth forever blessed
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!

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!

O ye heights of heaven adore Him
Angel hosts, His praises sing
Powers, dominions bow before Him
And extol our God and King!
Let no tongue on earth be silent
Every voice in concert sing
Evermore and evermore!

Christ, to Thee with God the Father
And, O Holy Ghost, to Thee
Hymn and chant with high thanksgiving
And unwearied praises be
Honor, glory and dominion
And eternal victory
Evermore and evermore!

The baby was foretold by God Himself in Genesis 3:15, prior to our first parents leaving the Garden of Eden.  He then placed His Spirit in the mouths of His prophets, ordaining that prophecy about Christ should come froth from their lips.  Wesley had the sentiment of verses 4 and 6 on his mind when he wrote that he wished he had a thousand tongues to sing praises of our great Redeemer.  Wesley also had this same idea when he wrote, “Born a people to deliver, born a child and yet a King.”

A baby. Worshiped by the heavenly hosts.  Spurned by sinful man who refuse to see His right to rule in their hearts.  Doesn’t sin make things which should seem so off, appear to be normal? What a skewed lens we view the Lord of Hosts through!