If you’re looking for an old, theologically rich Christmas song this season, look no further than “Of the Father’s Love Begotten.” Long before it became a Christmas carol in the 19th century, this hymn was first written as a poem by Aurelius Clemens Prudentius in the 4th century. As Brian Flanagan, theologian and church historian, explains, this was a time of significant turmoil in church history, during which Christian doctrine was defined and refined through heated debates and councils. Prudentius’ poems appear to have been a creative way to communicate to believers some of the core teachings that emerged from the Council of Nicaea in 325 AD.

The elegant verse was later combined with a Eucharistic hymn, believed to date from either the 10th or 13th century and translated by the famous Victorian composer John Mason Neale. This hymn poem has a history of over 1,500 years behind it and proclaims the mystery of the incarnation that we celebrate at Christmas. Host Maggi Van Dorn also welcomes back Colin Britt to help us appreciate the musical intricacies of this magnificent work, and best-selling author and novelist Nicole Baart shares why she chose to sing this Christmas carol on her wedding day.

We are indebted to Richard Jeffrey Gray and the members of the Clifton Cathedral Choir, accompanied by Stephen Bryant and conducted by Dr. David Bednall, big thanks; the Schola Cantorum of St. Peter’s in the Loop, directed by J. Michael Thompson; the Mount Holyoke Glee Club, led by Colin Britt; and Lori Pappajohn and Ricardo da Silva, SJ, for providing the music in this episode.

The show ends with Of the Father’s Heart Begotten, arranged by Sir David Willcocks and performed by the Choir of King’s College, Cambridge, conducted by Daniel Hyde. This recording is included on their album In the bleak midwinteravailable via King’s Recordings.