Hymn 15

Chapter 15

1In the Birth of the Son light dawned, — and darkness fled from the world — and the earth was enlightened; then let it give glory — to the brightness of the Father Who has enlightened it!

2He dawned from the womb of the Virgin, — and the shadows passed away when He was seen — and the darkness of error was strangled by Him — and the ends of the earth were enlightened that they should give glory .

3Among the peoples there was great tumult — and in the darkness the light dawned, — and the nations rejoiced to give glory — to Him in Whose Birth they all were enlightened.

4His light shone out over the east — Persia was enlightened by the star:— His Epiphany gave good tidings to her and invited her — He has come for the sacrifice that brings joy to all.

5The star of light hasted and came and dawned — through the darkness, and summoned them — that the peoples should come and exult — in the great Light that has come down to earth.

6One envoy from among the stars — the firmament sent to proclaim to them — to the sons of Persia , that they might make ready — to meet the King and to worship Him.

7Great Assyria when she perceived it — called to the Magi and said to them — Take gifts and go, honour Him — the great King Who in Judea has dawned.

8The princes of Persia , exulting — carried gifts from their region — and they brought to the Son of the Virgin — gold and myrrh and frankincense.

9They entered and found Him as a child — as He dwelt in the house of the lowly woman — and they drew near and worshipped with gladness — and brought near before Him their treasures.

10Mary said, For whom are these?— and for what purpose? And what is the cause — that has called you to come from your country — to the Child with your treasures?

11They said, Your Son is a King, — and He binds crowns and is King of all — and great is His power over the world — and to His Kingdom shall all be obedient .

12At what time did this come to pass — that a lowly woman should bring forth a King? I who am in need and in want — how then could a king come forth from me?

13In you alone has this come to pass — that a mighty King from you should appear — you in whom poverty shall be magnified — and to your Son shall crowns be made subject.

14Treasures of Kings I have not — riches have never fallen to my lot.— My house is lowly and my dwelling needy;— why then do you proclaim that my Son is King?

15Great treasure is in your Son, — and wealth that suffices to make all rich;— for the treasures of kings are impoverished — but He fails not nor can be measured.

16Whether haply some other be for you — the King that is born, enquire concerning Him.— This is the son of a lowly woman — of one who is not meet to look on a King.

17Can it be that light should ever miss — the way whereon it has been sent? It was not darkness that summoned and led us — in light we walked, and your Son is King.

18Lo! You see a babe without speech — and the house of His mother empty and needy, — and of that which pertains to a king nought is in it:— how then in it is a king to be seen?

19Lo! We see that without speech and at rest — is the King, and lowly as you have said:— but again we see that the stars — in the highest He bids haste to proclaim Him.

20It were meet, O men, that you should enquire — who is the King, and then adore him — lest haply your way has been mistaken — and another is the King that is born.

21It were meet, O maiden, that you should receive it — that we have learned that your Son is King — from the star of light that errs not — and plain is the way, and he has led us.

22The Child is a little one, and lo! He has not — the diadem of a king and of a throne — and what have you seen that you should pay honour to Him — as to a king, with your treasures?

23A little one, because He willed it for quietness' sake — and meek now until He be revealed. — A time shall be for Him when all diadems — shall bow down and worship Him.

24Armies he has none — nor has my Son legions and troops:— in the poverty of His mother He dwells — why then King is He called by you?

25The armies of your Son are above — they ride on high, and they flame — and one of them it was that came and summoned us — and all our country was dismayed.

26The Child is a babe, and how is it possible — He should be King, unknown to the world?— And they that are mighty and of renown — how can a babe be their ruler?

27Your babe is aged, O Virgin — and Ancient of Days and exalted above all and Adam beside Him is very babe — and in Him all created things are made new.

28It is very seemly that you should expound — all the mystery and explain it — who it is that reveals to you the mystery of my Son, — that He is a King in your region.

29It is likewise seemly for you to accept this — that unless the truth had led us we had not wandered hither from the ends of the earth — nor come for the sake of your Son.

30All the mystery as it was wrought — among you there in your country — reveal to me now as friends.— Who was He that called you to come to me?

31A mighty Star appeared to us — that was glorious exceedingly above the stars — and our land by its fire was kindled — that this King had appeared it bore tidings to us.

32Do not, I beseech you, speak of — these things in our land lest they rage — and the kings of the earth join together — against the Child in their envy .

33Be not dismayed, O Virgin! — Your Son shall bring to nought all diadems, and set them underneath his heel — and they shall not subdue Him Whom they envy .

34Because of Herod I am afraid, — that unclean wolf, lest he assail me — and draw his sword and with it cut off — the sweet cluster before it be ripe.

35Because of Herod fear not — for in the hands of your Son is his throne placed:— and as soon as He shall reign it shall be laid low — and his diadem shall fall on the earth beneath.

36A torrent of blood is Jerusalem, — wherein the excellent ones are slain;— and if she perceives Him she will assail Him.— In mystery speak, and noise it not abroad.

37All torrents, and likewise swords — by the hands of your Son shall be appeased — and the sword of Jerusalem shall be blunted — and shall not desire at all to kill.

38The scribes of the priests of Jerusalem — pour forth blood and heed not.— They will arouse murderous strife — against me and against the Child; O Magi , be silent!

39The scribes and the priests will be unable — to hurt your son in their envy — for by Him their priesthood shall be dissolved — and their festivals brought to nought.

40A Watcher revealed to me, when I received — conception of the Babe, that my Son is a King;— that His diadem is from on high and is not dissolved — he declared to me even as you do .

41The Watcher, therefore, of whom you have spoken — is he who came as a star — and was shown to us and brought us good tidings — that He is great and glorious above the stars.

42That Angel declared to me — in his good tidings, when he appeared to me — that to His Kingdom no end shall be — and the mystery is kept and shall not be revealed.

43The Star also declared again to us — that your Son is He that shall keep the diadem.— His aspect was something changed — and he was the Angel and made it not known to us.

44Before me when the Watcher showed himself — he called Him his Lord before He was conceived — and as the Son of the Highest announced Him to me:— but where His Father is he made not known to me.

45Before us he proclaimed in the form of a star — that the Lord of the Highest is He Who is born — and over the stars of light your Son is ruler — and unless He commands they rise not.

46In your presence, lo! There are revealed — other mysteries , that you may learn the truth — how in virginity I bare my Son, — and He is Son of God ; go, proclaim Him!

47In our presence the Star taught us — that His Birth is exalted above the world and above all beings is your Son, — and is Son of God according to your saying.

48The world on high and the world below bear witness to Him — all the Watchers and the stars — that He is Son of God and Lord. — Bear His fame to your lands!

49All the world on high, in one star — has stirred up Persia and she has learned the truth — that your Son is Son of God — and to Him shall all peoples be subject.

50Peace bear to your lands:— peace be multiplied in your borders!— As apostles of truth may you be believed — in all the way that you shall pass through.

51The peace of your Son, it shall bear us — in tranquillity to our land, as it has led us hither — and when His power shall have grasped the worlds — may He visit our land and bless it!

52May Persia rejoice in your glad tidings!— may Assyria exult in your coming — And when my Son's Kingdom shall arise — may He plant His standard in your country!

53Let the Church sing with rejoicing — Glory in the Birth of the Highest — by Whom the world above and the world below are illumined! — Blessed be He in Whose Birth all are made glad!