Of the Father’s love Begotten: A F.L.O.W.cast Christmas 

Introduction

The greatest gift of Christmas is the one that most matters: the Incarnation of the Son of God. In this special F.L..O.Wcast episode, Sister Lori Kirchman, a liturgical musician, and Sister Joanne Delehanty, a pastoral minister, share their mutual love for an ancient poem set to a haunting medieval chant. They unpack the lyrics and explore the intricacies of the text, the chant, and their healing and life-transforming properties. 

 

About our guest

Sister Lori Kirchman is liturgist and organist at Holy Family Parish, Lincoln, Ill., where she leads the children’s and adult choirs. She earned a bachelor's in music education from the University of Illinois and a master’s in liturgical music from St. John University, Collegeville, Minn.  

Sister Joanne Delehanty is on the staff at St. Bernard’s Hospital in Chicago. Previously, she served as pastoral associate, RCIA director and social service coordinator at St. Benedict the African Parish for 33 years. 

 

Takeaways

• Jesus is really God, and really human 
• Music sung aloud and together is bigger than any composer; singing creates communion. 
• The arts create an opening into eternity. 
• Music alters, and can heal, pathways in the brain. 

 

Resources

Of the Father’s love begotten, Marcus Aurelius Clemens Prudentius 

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! 

At His word the worlds were framed; He commanded it was done. 

Heaven, earth and depths of ocean in their threefold order, one. 

All that grows beneath the shining of the moon and burning sun, ever more and evermore. 

Blessed was the day forever, when the virgin, full of grace,
By the Holy Ghost conceiving, bore the Savior of our race;
And the Babe, the world’s Redeemer,
First revealed His sacred face, evermore and evermore! 

O ye heights of heaven adore Him; angel hosts, His praises sing;
Powers, dominions, bow before Him, and extol our God and King!
Let no tongue on earth be silent, every voice in concert sing, evermore and evermore! 

A selection of recorded versions 

A capella choir 

Ely Cathedral Choir 

Kinnara