JESUS CHRIST >> Birth
SDAH 133
Now is born the divine Christ child,
Play the musette, play the tuneful oboe,
Now is born the divine Christ child,
Sing we all and rejoice this day.
Get the hymn sheet in other keys here
For Worship Leaders
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Hymn Spotlight: Now Is Born the Divine Christ Child
This joyful French carol, Il est né, le divin Enfant, dates back to the 18th century and carries the spirit of celebration with its dance-like rhythm and hunting-song origins.
The refrain frames the song with bright praise for Jesus, the long-awaited Messiah. In this Wayne Hooper arrangement, we’re reminded that heaven rejoices—and so should we—as we welcome the birth of the divine Christ Child, our Savior and coming King.
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Introductions for Sabbath School Song Service (based on specific lesson quarterlies):
The tune name comes from the first line of this traditional French carol: “Il est né, le divine Enfant (He is born, the divine infant). According to Walter Ehret, in the International Book of Christmas Carols, 1963, the melody is from an eighteenth-century air de chasse, Le Tete Bizarde.
The popularity of this delightful carol was helped along by a beautiful recording made by the famous Roger Wagner Chorale of Los Angeles. Unusual is the fact that it begins and ends with the refrain.
The arrangement SDAH uses was made by Wayne Hooper (1920- ; ) especially for this book.
Stanza:
1 – Luke 2:7
Matthew 2:11
2 – Matthew 2:2
Text
Refrain:
Now is born the divine Christ child,
Play the musette, play the tuneful oboe,
Now is born the divine Christ child,
Sing we all and rejoice this day.
1
He was born in a stable bare,
On bed of straw how He sleeps so soundly,
He was born in a stable bare,
Let us worship and to Him bow.
2
Ages long since are past and gone,
When the wise men foretold His coming,
Ages long since are past and gone,
When the wise men foretold His birth.
Hymn Info
Biblical Reference
(a) Luke 2:7; Matt 2:11 (b) Matt 2:2
Text Source
Traditional French carol
Copyright
Arrangement copyright 1984 by Wayne Hooper
Hymn Tune
IL EST NE
Metrical Number
8.10.8.8.
Arranger / Harmonized / Paraphrased
Arr. by Wayne Hooper, 1984 (1920-2007)
Tune Source
18th century French carol
Theme
BIRTH OF JESUS CHRIST
