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Hymns of the Eastern Church, by J.M. Neale, [1884], at sacred-texts.com


p. 133

Canon for Christmas Day

ODE III.

by S. Cosmas

τῷ πρὸ τῶν αιώνων.

Him, of the Father's very Essence,
  Begotten, ere the world began,
And, in the latter time, of Mary,
  Without a human sire, made Man
       Unto Him, this glorious morn,
         Be the strain outpoured!
       Thou That liftest up our horn,
         Holy art Thou, Lord!

The earthly Adam, erewhile quickened
  By the blest breath of God on high,
Now made the victim of corruption,
  By woman's guile betray’d to die, p. 134
       He, deceived by woman's part,
         Supplication pour’d;
       Thou Who in my nature art,
         Holy art Thou, Lord!

Thou, Jesus Christ, wast consubstantial
  With this our perishable clay,
And, by assuming earthly nature,
  Exaltedst it to heavenly day.
       Thou, That wast as mortal born,
         Being God ador’d,
       Thou That liftest up our horn,
         Holy art Thou, Lord!

Rejoice, O Bethlehem, the city
  Whence Judah's monarchs had their birth;
Where He that sitteth on the Cherubs,
  The King of Israel, came on earth: p. 135
       Manifested this blest morn,
         As of old time never,
       He hath lifted up our horn,
         He shall reign for ever!


Next: Canon For Christmas Day, Ode IV.