12-24-2007, 08:37 PM
The Church exults in Thy adorable birth, Thou Saviour of the world, since thereby the nations and the nations [Jews and Gentiles] are made one, and the shepherds of earth and the angels in the heavens above unitedly sing and praise Thee.
Let the Church rejoice in this first-born of festivals, and on this chief of her solemn assemblies, in the contemplation of this glorious and wonderful providence, and let her with watchful mind keep guard over its mysteries, and let her show herself beauteous and perfect by being ready to do good deeds, and in nothing coming short of perfection. Let her bring up her children in every good work little by little, and at all times cause the idea of the Saviour's Image to be conceived in the bowels of their spiritual thoughts, in order that Messiah may be truly formed in their hearts, as saith the Apostle Paul in his Igrata. For such is the profit to be derived from all the festivals observed by the Church; and unless this is the result, all our labour will be in vain, and in vain all the round whereby we commemorate the life and actions of the Saviour.
O God, make us to be blameless, that we may live in purity, in faith, and in a right spirit, and that we may apprehend salvation by the eye of our minds, close our sight against every earthly lust, and lift up our eyes towards the high and heavenly kingdom, and there behold Him, Who is clothed in a bodily garment hiding therewith His dazzling Form, seated on the right hand of the Almighty, invisible to mortal ken. And as we have honoured this festival of the Nativity with the voice of the [Church] services, so may we sing to the Begotten in the mystical Sion. And now with an equal praise we magnify the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, because He has saved His people in a wonderful way, and redeemed us with a mighty arm.
We praise the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, one Essence, because He has saved those of earth by the birth of Yeshua Meshikha; to Him be glory. And may this illustrious Festival of the Nativity be blessed, and satan driven far off from the baptized, and may the grace of the Adorable Spirit descend upon us. To the erring author [of this hymn] stretch forth Thy hand, O MarYah.
(Extracted from the Khamees, and appointed in the Gezza to be read on the Feast of the Holy Nativity)
Let the Church rejoice in this first-born of festivals, and on this chief of her solemn assemblies, in the contemplation of this glorious and wonderful providence, and let her with watchful mind keep guard over its mysteries, and let her show herself beauteous and perfect by being ready to do good deeds, and in nothing coming short of perfection. Let her bring up her children in every good work little by little, and at all times cause the idea of the Saviour's Image to be conceived in the bowels of their spiritual thoughts, in order that Messiah may be truly formed in their hearts, as saith the Apostle Paul in his Igrata. For such is the profit to be derived from all the festivals observed by the Church; and unless this is the result, all our labour will be in vain, and in vain all the round whereby we commemorate the life and actions of the Saviour.
O God, make us to be blameless, that we may live in purity, in faith, and in a right spirit, and that we may apprehend salvation by the eye of our minds, close our sight against every earthly lust, and lift up our eyes towards the high and heavenly kingdom, and there behold Him, Who is clothed in a bodily garment hiding therewith His dazzling Form, seated on the right hand of the Almighty, invisible to mortal ken. And as we have honoured this festival of the Nativity with the voice of the [Church] services, so may we sing to the Begotten in the mystical Sion. And now with an equal praise we magnify the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, because He has saved His people in a wonderful way, and redeemed us with a mighty arm.
We praise the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, one Essence, because He has saved those of earth by the birth of Yeshua Meshikha; to Him be glory. And may this illustrious Festival of the Nativity be blessed, and satan driven far off from the baptized, and may the grace of the Adorable Spirit descend upon us. To the erring author [of this hymn] stretch forth Thy hand, O MarYah.
(Extracted from the Khamees, and appointed in the Gezza to be read on the Feast of the Holy Nativity)