Monday, December 24, 2012

We Worship Thy Birth, O Christ!

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.

—Royal Hours of the Nativity, sticheron at the Ninth Hour