Light From Light

Meditation for a Sunday Morning

(This is a very old song in the Christian Movement, going back at least to the AD 900s. No one knows who wrote it.)

NATA LUX DE LUMINE

(Light that from the light was born)

I

O Light that from the light was born,

Redeemer of the world forlorn,

In mercy now your suppliants spare,

Our praise accept, and hear our prayer.

II

You who wore our flesh below,

To save our souls from endless woe,

Of your blessed body, Lord, would we

Efficient members ever be.

III

More bright than sun your aspect gleamed,

As snowdrift white your garments seemed,

When on the mount your glory shone,

To faithful witnesses alone.

IV

There did the seers of old confer

With those who your disciples were;

And you on both did shed abroad

The glory of the eternal God.

V

From heaven the Father’s voice was heard

That you the eternal Son declared;

And faithful hearts now love to own

Your glory, King of heaven, alone.

VI

Grant us, we pray, to walk in light,

Clad in your virtues sparkling bright,

That, upward borne by deeds of love,

Our souls may win the bliss above.

VII

Loud praise to you our homage brings,

Eternal God and King of kings,

Who reigns as one, you one in three,

From age to age eternally.

(Hymns of the Early Church, Rev. John Bownlie. London : 1896)