The Byzantine Christmas Hymn “Today the Virgin gives birth to him who is beyond substance” by Romanos Melodos (The first three stanzas). Available also in the Greek original.
\n—
\nToday the Virgin gives birth to him who is beyond substance;
\nand the earth offers a cave to him who is unapproachable.
\nAngels with shepherds give praise,
\nand by a star the Wise Men make their way;
\nfor unto us is born
\na little child, God of all time.<\/p>\n
Bethlehem has opened the gates of Eden; come, let us see.
\nIn a secret place we have found delight; come, let us partake
\nof paradise within the cave.
\nIn it has appeared a root never watered, blossoming forth forgiveness;
\nin it has been found a well never dug,
\na well from which David once longed to drink.
\nIn it a virgin has given birth to a child,
\nand at once has brought to an end the thirst of Adam and of David.
\nTherefore, let us hasten to the place where has been born
\na little child, God of all time.<\/p>\n
The Father, by his will alone, became the Son of the Mother.
\nThe Saviour of infants, an infant himself, lay in the manger.
\nWhen his mother realized this, she said:
\n\u00abTell me, child, how were you sown in me, and how did you set you roots in me?
\nI see you, my flesh and blood, and am amazed,
\nthat I give suck and am not married,
\nthat I see you in swaddling bands
\nand yet still see that my virginity is sealed;
\nfor it pleased you to preserve it when you were born,
\na little child, God of all time.<\/p>\n
Great monarch, what have you in common with the poor?
\nCreator of the heavens, why have you come to the people of the earth?
\nDid you desire a cave or take pleasure in a manger?
\nSee, there is no room for your handmaiden at the inn;
\nno room, I say, not even a cave,
\nfor even that is not mine.
\nAnd yet to Sarah, when she bore a child,
\nwas allotted a wide stretch of land; but to me not even a wild beast\u0384s hair.
\nI used the cave which you, of your own will, inhabited,
\na little child, God of all time.<\/p>\n