Hymns of the Greek Church Part 2

{ho Heirmos}

I

Christ is born, go forth to meet Him, Christ by all the heaven adored; Singing songs of welcome, greet Him, For the earth receives her Lord.

All ye nations shout and sing; For He comes, your glorious King.

{troparion}

II

Once His heavenly image bearing, Man has sunk to depths of sin; Now defiled, debased, despairing, Clad in rags and foul within; But our G.o.d, who beauty gave, Lifts the soul He comes to save.

III

From the height of heaven beholding, Pity filled the heart of grace, And our Lord, His love unfolding, Made the earth His dwelling-place; And a virgin mother gave G.o.d Incarnate, man to save.

IV

Wisdom, Might, and Word Eternal, Glory of the Father, Thou!

Hid from man and powers supernal, Lo, He wears our nature now!

To the Lord your wors.h.i.+p bring, Praise Him, your victorious King.

{ti soi prosenenkomen, Christe}

By St. Anatolius, died 458 A.D.

I

What shall we bring to Thee?

What shall our offering be On this Thy natal morn?

For Thou, O Christ, hast come to earth-- A virgin mother gave Thee birth-- For our redemption born.

II

The whole creation broad Gives praise and thanks to G.o.d, Who gave His only Son; And list! the bright angelic throng Their homage yield in sweetest song For peace on earth begun.

III

The heavens their glory shed, The star s.h.i.+nes o'er His head, The promised Christ and King; And wise men from the lands afar, Led by the brightness of the star, Their treasured offerings bring.

IV

What shall we give Thee now?

Lowly the shepherds bow, Have we no gift to bring?

Our wors.h.i.+p, lo, we yield to Thee, All that we are, and hope to be-- This is our offering.

{ho ouranos kai he ge semeron prophetikos euphrainesthosan}

({Stichera Idiomela})

I

In the bliss of old predicted, Heaven and earth to-day rejoice; Men and angels, one in spirit, Shout aloud in gleeful voice; For, to those in darkness drear, G.o.d in human flesh is near.

II

Cave and manger show the mystery; Shepherds tell the wondrous tale; Bearing gifts to lay before Him From the East the Magi hail; Taught by angel words to sing, We unworthy praises bring.

III

Glory be to G.o.d eternal!

Peace on earth its reign begin!

For the one Desire of nations Comes to save us from our sin; Freedom He will now bestow From the bondage of the foe.

{Doxa en hypsistois theo}

By St. John of Damascus, 780 A.D.

I

Bethlehem rejoices, Hark the voices clear, Singing in the starlight Nearer and more near.

Unto G.o.d be glory, Peace to men be given, This His will who dwelleth In the heights of heaven.

II

Heaven can not contain Him, Nor the bounds of earth, Yet, O Glorious Mystery!

Virgin gives Him birth.

Unto G.o.d be glory, Peace to men be given, This His will who dwelleth In the heights of heaven.

III

Now the light ariseth In the darkened skies, Now the proud are humbled And the lowly rise.

Unto G.o.d be glory, Peace to men be given, This His will who dwelleth In the heights of heaven.