O admirabile commercium

Song Meaning

This Latin text presents a profound theological concept, framing a divine "commerce" or exchange. The opening exclamation, "O admirabile commercium!" sets a tone of awe and wonder at this sacred transaction. It immediately establishes the central idea: a remarkable, almost unbelievable, exchange has taken place. The lyrics then detail the nature of this exchange, focusing on the Incarnation. The "Creator of the human race" is described as "deigning to take on an animated body" and being "born of a Virgin." This highlights the extraordinary humility of the divine choosing to become human, a stark contrast to its infinite nature. The text emphasizes the paradox of God becoming flesh, a foundational mystery. The specific phrasing "sumens animatum corpus" (taking on an animated body) and "procedens homo sine semine" (proceeding as a human without seed) points to the miraculous and unique manner of Christ's birth. This careful wording underscores the divine intervention and the departure from natural human conception. It’s a deliberate choice to emphasize the supernatural aspect of this event. Ultimately, the effectiveness of these lyrics lies in their concise and powerful articulation of a core Christian belief. The contrast between the divine Creator and the born human, and the idea of a "commerce" where humanity gains "His Divinity" in return, is presented with stark clarity. This exchange is described as a gift, "largitus est nobis suam Deitatem," leaving the listener with a sense of divine generosity and the immense value of what has been given.