1 When things began to happen,
before the birth of time,
the Word was with the Father
and shared his holy name:
without him there was nothing
all life derives from him;
his light shines in the darkness
an unextinguished beam.
2 He came to his creation,
the work of his own hand;
he entered his own country
but men would not respond:
yet some gave their allegiance
of life and heart and mind;
thus they became his subjects
and he became their friend.
3 Conceived by heaven's mercy,
this was no human birth;
for they are God's own children
redeemed from sin and death:
and they beheld his glory,
so full of grace and truth;
in Christ, God's Son, our saviour,
whom we adore by faith.
Paraphrase of John 1, Michael Saward
© Michael Saward/Jubilate Hymns
7 6 7 6 D Iambic
Tune: ELLACOMBE
