‘Of the Father’s Love Begotten’
Scripture Reading — Revelation 1:7-8
“I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.”
“Of the Father’s Love Begotten” is another ancient Christmas hymn. It dates back to a poem from the fourth or fifth century A.D. This song celebrates the confession that Christ is the eternal Son of God. From the very opening lines of this song, Christ is recognized as God from before the beginning of time: “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.”
The name Alpha and Omega is used in the book of Revelation, and it refers to the Lord God Almighty. Jesus refers to himself in this way in Revelation 22, as the one who promises to return to make all things new.
We sing this song as a testimony to what Christmas is all about: the Creator of the world, who loves his creation so much, came to rescue and redeem it, and he promises to come again and restore it forever.
It is no small thing to welcome Jesus as the Lord and Savior of all creation—including us. And he promises to come again to make everything new so that we can live with him in the new heaven and earth forever. So we pray, “Come, Lord Jesus.”
Eternal Son of God, thank you for coming to rescue and redeem us from sin and death. We look forward to your coming to renew the world. Come, Lord Jesus. Amen.
About the author — Brian Kuyper
Brian Kuyper is the lead pastor at a church in Taber, Alberta. He has served in two congregations in southern Alberta over the past 12 years. He is married to Brenda, and they have three school-age children.
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