The Art of Creation: An Advent Hymn of Hope

Today I share a beautiful instrumental version of an ancient hymn titled, Conditor alme siderum, which was written by an unknown author in the 7th century. Traditionally, it has been sung during Advent for the Vesper (evening) service.

It is a fitting piece of Advent music for it points us toward the power of the one who created the vast universe we stand beneath and also beckons us to look toward the point in time and place where this power descended to earth to be born among the human race. During the music video, we trace the immense beauty of this universe and the God who created it all through a series of wondrous sky images. We are invited into a place of deep praise as we watch the sky dissolve from one panorama into another with the beautiful music leading us through.

Beneath the video I have included J.M. Neale's well-known English translation of the hymn. Originally written in Latin, the lyrics remind us of the deep desperation of a world that is falling apart and the actions taken by its lover and redeemer to free it from the destruction that has all creation in its grip.

It is fairly simple to match the words to the tune as it flows by in the recording if you would like to sing along to the music.

In a time when the trajectory of the world feels particularly frightening, it is good to remember how God intervenes, rescues, and loves this world back into life.

May the music and the words be helpful to you this holiday season as you remember and celebrate the creator who loves all of creation enough to enter it as a beacon of light and repairer of what is broken. This creator has changed the world's trajectory in the past and promises to do so again.

Creator of the stars of night,
Your people's everlasting light,
Jesu, Redeemer, save us all,
And hear your servants when they call.

In sorrow at the helpless cry
Of all creation doomed to die,
Did save our lost and guilty race
By healing gifts of heav'nly grace.

When Earth was near its evening hour,
You did, in love’s redeeming pow’r,
Like bridegroom from his chamber, come
Forth from a virgin mother’s womb.

At your great name, exalted now,
All knees in lowly homage bow;
All things in Heav’n and Earth adore
And own you King forevermore.

To you, O Holy One, we pray,
Our Judge in that tremendous day,
Ward off, while yet we dwell below,
The weapons of our crafty foe.

To God the Father, God the Son,
And God the Spirit, Three in One,
Praise, honor, might, and glory be,
From age to age eternally.
   Translated by J.M. Neale

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Louise