Christmas 2024: December 2

Divinum Mysterium is another one of the church's most ancient Christmas hymns still sung today, and just as Veni Redemptor Gentium by Ambrose of Milan was written as an apologetic for the true nature of Christ, Marcus Aurelius Predentius wrote to defend Christ's eternal nature, Deity, and humanity. A contemporary of Augustine, Predentius held a high social rank in the Roman Empire, and also like Augustine, as an unbeliever, Predentius was laden with the guilt of sin from his youth. When he grew into adulthood, he became deeply moved by the testimonies of the martyrs during the Diocletian persecution, whose examples of steadfast faith were used by the Lord to save him.

After experiencing salvation, being justified by faith, Predentius was greatly influenced by the works of Ambrose. It was mainly through his work that Predentius became convinced of the importance of sound doctrine and began to write poetry and allegorical works (like Pilgrim's Progress) as a means of teaching theology. Most of his writings defended the faith against Arianism and Marcionism (Marcion taught that Jesus was not God in the flesh or the long-expected Messiah, but a "spiritual entity" sent from an unknown god of mercy and love who destroyed the wrathful and vindictive god of the Old Testament). For that reason, Divinum Mysterium, or as it was originally titled, "Corde Natus ex Parentis" (Of the heart of the Father), was a poem written specifically to defend the eternal, Trinitarian God the Father, Son (who is also the Redeemer and Messiah), and Spirit. Although Christians continued to "sing" or "chant" the hymn long after the 4th century when it was written, it was probably first set to music sometime around the 15th or 16th centuries.

From the very first line, Predentius directly responds to last line of Arius' jingle, that Christ was "made and not begot." That said, there are several different versions that exist today - mainly due to phrases or verses being modified as the lyrics were translated from the original Latin, but in the version below, the first three verses then develop who Christ is according to Scripture, and the final two instruct us how we should respond.

Unfortunately, although many still sing Divinum Mysterium, along with a host of many other Christmas hymns, few genuinely understand the exclusive message of salvation. In our passage for today, John asserts the universality of God's love for the world in the giving of His only begotten Son - the One who is preeminent and before all things. The message of the thief on the cross is a beautiful reminder of that reality (Lk 23:42). Truly, anyone who believes in the Son will be saved, and apart from our faith in Christ alone, we will perish. Thus, the Light exposes our sin and manifests our need to be saved, but sadly, many will still reject Him even after being confronted about the actual condition of their hearts. They will continue to dwell in darkness because it hides the sin they love and are enslaved to. Others will receive the Light of the Son with joy.

Take a moment to consider whether you truly love the Light. Have you received the gift of faith and eternal life by His grace, called on Him to be forgiven, and turned away from your sin? If not, let today be the day of your salvation. Do not reject the Light any longer. His forgiveness is great and equally magnanimous as His love. "And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved" (Acts 4:12).