Canon For Christmas Day, Ode III.

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!