O Come, Divine Messiah

Old French Christmas carol

O Come, Divine Messiahby Simon-Joseph PellegrinNative nameVenez, Divin MessieGenreChristmas musicLanguageFrench, English O Come, Divine Messiah is a popular Christian hymn for the season of Advent before Christmas. It recalls the time of waiting of the people of Israel before the birth of Christ. This song is at the same time a call to adore Jesus Christ present in the Eucharist. The melody is taken from an old French Christmas carol of the 16th century, Laissez paître vos bêtes ("Let your beasts graze").

[edit] Sister Mary of St. Philip (Frances Mary Lescher) translated the carol into English in 1872. O Come, Divine Messiah is adapted from an old French Christmas carol, Laissez paître vos bêtes, attested in the former French province of Bresse in the 16th century. The melody had already been plagiarized for satirical uses. The lyrics are the work of Abbot Simon-Joseph Pellegrin in the first half of the 18th century, who composed for the attention of the young Demoiselles de Saint-Cyr at the Maison royale de Saint-Louis many verses on the songs of the old Christmases of France, in order to modernize the text. The melody was also used by Marc-Antoine Charpentier for the offertory in his Messe de minuit pour Noël. Since the 19th century, a modern version of the text, considerably impoverished, and a 4-part harmonization written in 1845 by Abbé Lambert have been in use in Catholic communities in France. In 1872, the carol was translated into English by Sister Mary of Saint Philip.

[edit] The original lyrics of Simon-Joseph Pellegrin (1663–1745) are inspired from Isaiah 4:14, Luke 2:4-14 and John 3:16-18.

18th century lyrics by Abbot Simon-Joseph Pellegrin

20th century update by Aimon-Marie Roguet and Louis Barjon

1872 translation of Sister Mary of St. Philip

Venez, divin Messie, Sauvez nos jours infortunés, Vous êtes notre vie, Venez, venez, venez.

1. Ah ! descendez, hâtez vos pas, Seigneur de l’éternel trépas Délivrez-nous, ne tardez pas. Les temps se renouvellent Sans voir nos crimes pardonnés Les peuples vous appellent, Venez, venez, venez.

2. Que nos soupirs soient entendus, Les biens que nous avons perdus Ne nous seront-ils pas rendus. Voyez couler nos larmes Grand Dieu si vous nous pardonnez Nous n’aurons plus d’alarmes Venez, venez, venez.

3. Ah! Puissions-nous chanter un jour Dans votre bienheureuse cour Et votre gloire et votre amour. A nous livrer la guerre Tous les démons sont acharnés Pour vaincre leur colère, Venez, venez, venez.

4. Si vous venez en ces bas lieux, Nous vous verrons victorieux, Fermer l’enfer, ouvrir les cieux. Nous l’espérons sans cesse; Les cieux nous furent destinés : Tenez votre promesse; Venez, venez, venez.

Venez divin Messie Nous rendre espoir et nous sauver ! Vous êtes notre vie ! Venez, venez, venez !

1. Ô Fils de Dieu, ne tardez pas, Par votre Corps donnez la joie À notre monde en désarroi. Redites-nous encore De quel amour vous nous aimez; Tant d'hommes vous ignorent ! Venez, venez, venez !

2. À Bethléem, les cieux chantaient, Que le meilleur de vos bienfaits C'était le don de votre paix. Le monde la dédaigne : Partout les cœurs sont divisés ! Qu'arrive votre règne ! Venez, venez, venez !

3. Vous êtes né pour les pécheurs, Que votre grâce, ô Dieu Sauveur, Dissipe en nous la nuit, la peur ! Seigneur que votre enfance Nous fasse vivre en la clarté, Soyez la délivrance, Venez, venez, venez !

4. Quand vous viendrez au dernier jour Juger le monde sur l'amour, Que nous veillions pour ce retour ! Que votre main nous prenne Dans le Royaume des sauvés ! Que meure enfin la haine, Venez, venez, venez !

O Come, Divine Messiah bridges the solemnity of Advent with the joyous anticipation of Christmas, making it a perfect tonal bridge between the two seasons. Its roots in a 16th‑century French carol give it a timeless quality that feels both historic and fresh when rendered in modern arrangements. The melody’s pastoral origin – originally a song about grazing beasts – adds a gentle, pastoral calm that suits quiet moments of reflection before the festive rush. Because the lyrics focus on the waiting of Israel, it invites listeners to pause and consider the deeper narrative of hope, which resonates strongly in today’s fast‑paced holiday season.

When adding O Come, Divine Messiah to your collection, look for recordings that highlight the hymn’s dual language heritage. A well‑balanced mix of French and English verses preserves the original charm while remaining accessible for congregations unfamiliar with French. Seek out versions with clear, reverent vocal delivery and minimal orchestration if you plan to use the track for prayer or communion; a simple organ or harp accompaniment often works best. Conversely, if you need background music for a Christmas market stall, a richer orchestral arrangement can fill the space without overwhelming conversation. Check streaming platforms for live cathedral performances – they tend to capture the hymn’s echoing reverence best.

Many people enjoy the tune without noticing its deeper liturgical implication: the hymn doubles as an invitation to adore Christ in the Eucharist. While the Advent narrative of waiting is clear, the text subtly shifts to a present‑moment worship focus, linking the anticipation of the Incarnation with the real‑time experience of communion. This dual focus can enrich a family’s spiritual routine – singing the hymn at the start of a service or at home can naturally segue into a moment of quiet reflection on the presence of Christ at the table. Recognising this link adds a layer of meaning that turns a simple carol into a devotional tool.