Christmas 2025 Devotional: December 1
Scripture: John 1:1-4
Christmas Hymn: Veni, Redemptor Gentium (Come, Redeemer of the Nations!)
Christmas Hymn: Veni, Redemptor Gentium (Come, Redeemer of the Nations!)
Ambrose: Defender of the Trinity
One of our most ancient and beautiful Christmas hymns isn't very well known, but "Veni, Redemptor Gentium" was written by one of the most important defenders of the faith in the first century, Ambrose of Milan. Ambrose became the pastor-teacher in his city in AD 374 and quickly established himself as an outstanding preacher and defender of sound theology, including a biblical Christology and the doctrine of the Trinity:
"If, then, God is One, one is the name, one is the power, of the Trinity. Christ Himself, indeed, saith: 'Go ye, baptize the nations in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit” (Matt 28:19). In the name, mark you, not in the names.'
Moreover, Christ Himself saith: 'I and the Father are One' (Jn 10:30). 'One,' said He, that there be no separation of power and nature; but again, 'We are,' that you may recognize Father and Son, forasmuch as the perfect Father is believed to have begotten the perfect Son, (Matt 5:48) and the Father and the Son are One, not by confusion of Person, but by unity of nature.
We say, then, that there is one God, not two or three Gods, this being the error into which the impious heresy of the Arians doth run with its blasphemies. For it says that there are three Gods, in that it divides the Godhead of the Trinity; whereas the Lord, in saying, 'Go, baptize the nations in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,' hath shown that the Trinity is of one power. We confess Father, Son, and Spirit, understanding in a perfect Trinity both fullness of Divinity and unity of power."
Ambrose was also instrumental in leading the great apologist, Augustine, to salvation. Many of his hymns and treatises, including today's hymn, were especially intended to defend the faith against the heresy of Arianism.
To that end, today's Scripture reading is a perfect compliment to this ancient hymn as it is one of the most powerful passages affirming the Deity and eternality of Christ in Scripture.
"If, then, God is One, one is the name, one is the power, of the Trinity. Christ Himself, indeed, saith: 'Go ye, baptize the nations in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit” (Matt 28:19). In the name, mark you, not in the names.'
Moreover, Christ Himself saith: 'I and the Father are One' (Jn 10:30). 'One,' said He, that there be no separation of power and nature; but again, 'We are,' that you may recognize Father and Son, forasmuch as the perfect Father is believed to have begotten the perfect Son, (Matt 5:48) and the Father and the Son are One, not by confusion of Person, but by unity of nature.
We say, then, that there is one God, not two or three Gods, this being the error into which the impious heresy of the Arians doth run with its blasphemies. For it says that there are three Gods, in that it divides the Godhead of the Trinity; whereas the Lord, in saying, 'Go, baptize the nations in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,' hath shown that the Trinity is of one power. We confess Father, Son, and Spirit, understanding in a perfect Trinity both fullness of Divinity and unity of power."
Ambrose was also instrumental in leading the great apologist, Augustine, to salvation. Many of his hymns and treatises, including today's hymn, were especially intended to defend the faith against the heresy of Arianism.
To that end, today's Scripture reading is a perfect compliment to this ancient hymn as it is one of the most powerful passages affirming the Deity and eternality of Christ in Scripture.
The Word of God in Flesh Arrayed (John 1:1-4)
What a breathtaking declaration!
"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God."
This statement is a clear affirmation of the divinity of Christ, and, beyond that, it declares that the story of the nativity began long before His birth. It begins with the One who never began, but eternally existed. He is the eternal Word and the Light of the world! At the same time, our passage for today is an important reminder of the mystery of the Trinity. Contrary to many heresies that have existed in the past and present, it's obvious from John 1 that Jesus was distinct from the Father ("He was with God") and was nevertheless one with the Father ("He was God." cf. also Jn 10:30). Think about that for a moment. Psalm 139 tells us that God Himself forms us in the depths of the earth - a Hebraism for the mother's womb. That means that God Himself, who has formed every child subjected Himself to be formed in Mary's, so that He would take on human flesh to pay the penalty for our sin.
"For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Rom 6:23).
That should leave us in complete awe, so worship Him, adore Him, and believe Him for who He is: our sufficient Savior, the Light of the World, who has redeemed us from our sin. "For in Him is life, and the life was the light of men" (Jn 1:4). No sin is greater than our Redeemer's victory; it is our hope that you place your faith and trust in the forgiveness that is ours in Christ this Christmas!
"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God."
This statement is a clear affirmation of the divinity of Christ, and, beyond that, it declares that the story of the nativity began long before His birth. It begins with the One who never began, but eternally existed. He is the eternal Word and the Light of the world! At the same time, our passage for today is an important reminder of the mystery of the Trinity. Contrary to many heresies that have existed in the past and present, it's obvious from John 1 that Jesus was distinct from the Father ("He was with God") and was nevertheless one with the Father ("He was God." cf. also Jn 10:30). Think about that for a moment. Psalm 139 tells us that God Himself forms us in the depths of the earth - a Hebraism for the mother's womb. That means that God Himself, who has formed every child subjected Himself to be formed in Mary's, so that He would take on human flesh to pay the penalty for our sin.
"For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Rom 6:23).
That should leave us in complete awe, so worship Him, adore Him, and believe Him for who He is: our sufficient Savior, the Light of the World, who has redeemed us from our sin. "For in Him is life, and the life was the light of men" (Jn 1:4). No sin is greater than our Redeemer's victory; it is our hope that you place your faith and trust in the forgiveness that is ours in Christ this Christmas!
Veni, Redemptor, Gentium!
Come, Thou Redeemer of the earth,
And manifest thy virgin-birth:
And manifest thy virgin-birth:
Let every age adoring fall;
Such birth befits the God of all.
Begotten of no human will,
But of the Spirit, Thou art still
The Word of God in flesh arrayed,
The promised fruit to men displayed.
The virgin womb that burden gained
With virgin honor all unstained;
The banners there of virtue glow;
God in His temple dwells below.
Forth from His chamber goeth He,
That royal home of purity,
A giant in two-fold substance one,
Rejoicing now His course to run.
From God the Father He proceeds,
To God the Father back He speeds;
His course He runs to death and hell,
Returning on God's throne to dwell.
O equal to the Father, Thou!
Gird on Thy fleshly mantle now;
The weakness of our mortal state
With deathless might invigorate.
Thy cradle here shall glitter bright
And darkness breathe a newer light,
Where endless faith shall shine serene,
And twilight never intervene.
