Come, let us rejoice in the Lord as we tell of the
present mystery. Destroyed is the middle wall of partition; the flaming sword
turns back, the cherubim withdraw from the tree of life, and I partake of the
delight of Paradise from which I was cast out through disobedience. For the
Father’s express Image, the Imprint of His eternity, takes the form of a servant,
and without undergoing change He comes forth from a Mother who knew not
wedlock. For what He was, He has remained, true God: and what He was not, He
has taken upon Himself, becoming man through love for mankind. To Him let us
cry aloud: God born of a Virgin, have mercy on us.
When Jesus the Lord was born of the holy Virgin, the
whole world was enlightened. The shepherds watched in the fields, the Magi
adored and the angels sang hymns of praise; but Herod was troubled: for God
appeared in the flesh, the Savior of our souls.
Your Kingdom, O Christ our God, is a Kingdom of all
the ages, and Your rule is from generation to generation. Made flesh of the
Holy Spirit and made man of the ever-Virgin Mary, You have enlightened us by
Your coming. Light of Light, Brightness of the Father, You have made all
creation shine with joy. Everything that breathes praises You, the Image of the
Father’s glory. O God–the One who is–and always was, who shone forth from a
Virgin, have mercy on us.
O Christ what
shall we offer You; for our sake You appeared on earth as man? Every creature
made by You offers thanks to You. The angels offer You a hymn; the heavens, a
star; the Magi, gifts; the shepherds, their wonder; the earth, its cave; the
wilderness, the manger: and we offer You a Virgin Mother. O pre-eternal God,
have mercy on us.
When Augustus reigned alone on earth, the many
kingdoms of men came to an end; and when You were made man of the pure Virgin, the
many gods of idolatry were made powerless. The cities of the world passed under
one single rule; and the nations came to believe in one sovereign Godhead. The
peoples were enrolled by the decree of Caesar; and we, the faithful, were
enrolled in the name of the divinity, when You, our God, were made man. Great
is Your mercy: Lord, glory to You.
Christ is Born! Let
us Glorify Him!
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