Hymns from the Morningland Part 2

{Euphrainesthe Dikaioi; ouranoi agalliasthe;}

{skirtesate ta ore, Christou gennethentos.}

Christmas.

I

Ye saints exult with cheerful song, Ye heavens be glad this morn, And let the mountains leap for joy, For Christ on earth is born.

II

Behold the Virgin Mother holds The Child in warm embrace,-- The One-begotten Son of G.o.d, Incarnate Word of grace.

III

And shepherds from their lonely watch, By angel guidance given, At Bethlehem found the Promised Child, And praised the G.o.d of heaven.

IV

And heavenly choirs their music poured, Upon the stillness, then, Ascribing glory unto G.o.d, And peace on earth to men.

V

Lo, wise men from the Morningland, Their costly treasures bear, And at the manger wors.h.i.+pped low, And laid their offerings there.

VI

Now, with the angel host who sang, We join our thankful praise, To G.o.d the Father, G.o.d the Son, And Holy Ghost, always.

{Ho Pater eudokesen,}

Stichera Idiomela. Christmas.

I

He came because the Father willed, And from the midst of heaven's renown, The promise to our world fulfilled, And won a kingdom for His crown.

II

He came because He willed to bear The burden that His love imposed; And all our lot of sorrow share, Until the day in darkness closed.

III

Ah! angels hailed that morning bright, And in the heavens their carols sung; But G.o.d Himself was hid in night, When sin and death their arrows flung.

IV

But not to sink beneath their power, The G.o.d-man girt Him for the fray; And from the darkness of that hour, There sprang the light of endless day.

V

And wounded souls the triumph knew; Fresh courage to the faint was given; And e'en the dead to life anew, Rose in the glorious might of heaven.

VI

For sin was crushed, and death was slain;-- All hail, the great victorious Son, Who mounts the throne of heaven again, To rule the kingdom He has won.

{Christos ho Basileus.}

I

Now the King Immortal Comes to claim His own,-- Shepherds at their watch by night, Hail the glory of the light-- They, and they alone.

II

Heralds from the heaven-land, Tell His Advent clear;-- Where the sound of hurrying feet?

Where the crowds come forth to greet?

Where the loyal cheer?

III

Angels, on the night winds Have their carols thrown,-- Theirs, the music rapturous, sweet, Theirs, the songs the Monarch greet, Theirs, and theirs, alone.

IV

Ah, the silent night hours, Ah, the slumberers, p.r.o.ne,-- Mortals wake, arise, adore, Angels, shepherds, honours pour, They, and they, alone.

V

Jesu, King Immortal, Mount thy rightful throne; Loyal hearts their plaudits pour, Heavenly choirs in songs adore, They, not they alone.

{Augoustou monarchesantos epi tes ges,}

{he polyarchia ton anthropon epausato.}

_By Ca.s.sia the Recluse._