Boh predvičnyj narodilsja facts for kids
Boh predvichnyi narodyvsia (Ukrainian: Бог предвічний народився) is a famous Ukrainian Christmas carol. Its name means "Eternal God Born Tonight" or "Pre-eternal God Was Born." This song tells the story of Jesus being born, focusing on the idea of God becoming human. It's a very important part of the Christmas celebration in Ukraine.
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A Beloved Ukrainian Christmas Song
This carol is very popular in Western Ukraine. Many Ukrainians living in other countries also love it. People often sing this carol before the traditional Twelve-dish Christmas Eve supper. This happens in many parts of the historic region of Galicia.
Churches also sing "Boh predvichnyi narodyvsia" during their services. You can hear it at the end of the Divine Liturgy. They sing it from Christmas Day until Candlemas, which is on February 2nd.
The Song's History
"Boh predvichnyi narodyvsia" is found in a special book called "Bohohlasnyk". This book is a collection of Ukrainian religious songs. It was first published at the Pochayiv Monastery in the late 1700s.
The famous Ukrainian poet Ivan Franko thought this carol was truly special. He called it "a pearl among carols." This shows how much he valued this beautiful song.
The Carol's Lyrics
This Christmas carol has many different versions. Some versions have only two verses, while others have up to ten. The version below has seven verses. It is the most common form used in churches in the United States.
| Ukrainian transliteration | English translation |
|---|---|
| Boh predvichnyi narodyvsia,
Pryishov dnes iz nebes, Shchob spasty lud svii ves, I utishyvsia. V Vyfleiemi narodyvsia, Mesiia Khrystos nash I pan nash, dlia vsikh nas Nam narodyvsia. Oznaimyv tse Anhel Bozhyi Napered pastyriam A potim zvizdariam I zemnym zviriam. Diva Syna iak porodyla Zvizda sta, de Khrysta, Nevista prechysta Syna zrodyla. "Triie tsari, de idete?" "My idem v Vyfleiem Z zhelaniem spokoiem I povernemsia." Inshym putem povernuly Zlobnoho, pohantsia Iroda lukavtsia Sovsim mynuly. "Slava Bohu!" zaspivaimo: Chest Synu Bozhomu I Panu nashomu Poklin viddaimo. |
God eternal is born tonight.
He came down from above To save us with his love And he rejoiced. He was born in Bethlehem, Our Christ, Our Messiah, The Lord of creation was born here for us. The tidings came through an angel, Shepherds knew, then the Kings The watchers of the skies Then all creation. When Christ was born of the Virgin, A star stood where the Son, And Mother, the most pure, Were sheltered that night. "You three wise men, whither go you?" "We go to Bethlehem, Bearing peaceful greetings, We shall then return." Returning through, a new way they chose, The malicious Herod, The evil wicked one, They wished to avoid. Ring out the song: "Glory to God!" Honor to the son of God, Honor to our Lord, And homage to him. |
What the Lyrics Mean
A scholar named Mikhailo Voznyak studied the carol's words. He believes that the line about the wise men returning by a different route was added later. It was not in the original version from the 1700s.
Voznyak also explained why this carol was so popular. It was loved by many ordinary people in Ukraine during the 1700s and 1800s. The song talks about shepherds before kings. This shows an egalitarian message. It means that everyone is equal, even the poorest people. The Christmas story reminds us that everyone, including Jesus himself, finds equality and importance.
See also
In Spanish: Dios eterno ha nacido hoy para niños
