Being in the form of God, [He] thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made Himself of no reputation, and took upon Him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men.
Philippians 2:6–7
Words: Author unknown (Ave Jesu Deus). Translated from Latin to English by Henry R. Bramley in Christmas Carols New and Old (London: Novello, Ewer, 1871), pages 14–15.
Music: John Stainer (🔊 pdf nwc).
If you know where to get a good photo of Bramley (head-and-shoulders, at least 200×300 pixels),
Jesu hail! O God most holy,
Gentle Lamb, an infant lowly;
Born, great God, a human stranger,
Laid within the narrow manger:
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Might transcending, weakness blending,
Greatness bending from the sky;
Love unending, man befriending,
God most High, God most High.
To enrich my desolation,
To redeem me from damnation,
Wrapt in swathing bands Thou liest,
Thou in want and weakness sighest:
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Low abased, where brutes are sleeping,
God’s belovèd Son is weeping;
Judge supreme, true Godhead sharing,
Sinner’s likeness for us wearing!
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Jesu, Thine my heart is solely;
Draw it, take it to Thee wholly;
With Thy sacred fire illume me,
Let it inwardly consume me.
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Hence let idle fancies vanish,
Hence all evil passions banish;
Make me like Thyself in meekness,
Bind to Thee my human weakness,
Refrain