Last week, in order to assist us with our spiritual prepartion for Christmas, my bishop recommended this recording of a Byzantine Nativity hymn in Arabic. The English translation, which is shown in the video, appears below.
Today is born of a virgin he who holds the whole creation in his hand. (Thrice)
He whose essence none can touch is bound in swaddling clothes as a mortal man.
God, who in the beginning fashioned the heavens, lies in a manger.
He who rained manna on his people in the wilderness is fed on milk from his mother’s breast.
The Bridegroom of the Church summons the wise men; the Son of the Virgin accepts their gifts.
We worship thy birth, O Christ! (Thrice)
Show us also thy holy Theophany.
Today is born of a virgin he who holds the whole creation in his hand. (Thrice)
He whose essence none can touch is bound in swaddling clothes as a mortal man.
God, who in the beginning fashioned the heavens, lies in a manger.
He who rained manna on his people in the wilderness is fed on milk from his mother’s breast.
The Bridegroom of the Church summons the wise men; the Son of the Virgin accepts their gifts.
We worship thy birth, O Christ! (Thrice)
Show us also thy holy Theophany.
—Royal Hours of the Nativity, sticheron at the Ninth Hour
