St. Hilary's Miniature Church Advent Calendar 2009

Saturday 5th December 2009

ALL the children really loved learning all about the Christingle and how to make one.  They have chosen this photograph taken whilst they were having their Christingle lesson.  The carol they have chosen today reminds them of this lesson because the orange, which is part of the Christingle, represents the world and that Jesus came to save it.



("Veni, Redemptor Gentium" by Ambrose of Milan, circa 397
Translated into English by John Mason Neale in 1862)

ome, Thou Redeemer of the earth,
And manifest Thy virgin birth:
Let every age adoring fall;
Such birth befits the God of all.

Begotten of no human will,
But of the Spirit, Thou art still
The Word of God in flesh arrayed,
The promised Fruit to man displayed.

The virgin womb that burden gained
With virgin honor all unstained;
The banners there of virtue glow;
God in His temple dwells below.

Forth from His chamber goeth He,
That royal home of purity,
A giant in twofold substance one,
Rejoicing now His course to run.

From God the Father He proceeds,
To God the Father back He speeds;
His course He runs to death and hell,
Returning on God’s throne to dwell.

O equal to the Father, Thou!
Gird on Thy fleshly mantle now;
The weakness of our mortal state
With deathless might invigorate.

Thy cradle here shall glitter bright,
And darkness breathe a newer light,
Where endless faith shall shine serene,
And twilight never intervene.

All laud to God the Father be,
All praise, eternal Son, to Thee;
All glory, as is ever meet,
To God the Holy Paraclete.