St. Ephraim the Syrian’s Hymn on the Nativity

Saint Ephraim the Syrian, the 4th century theologian and Doctor of the Church wrote nineteen metrical poems on the Incarnation of Our Lord. These hymns on the Nativity of Christ in the flesh contain profound insights into the love of God. Here, St. Ephraim extols how God became man for our good and our salvation:

Blessed be the Child Who today delights Bethlehem.

Blessed be the Newborn Who today made humanity young again.

Blessed be the Fruit Who bowed Himself down for our hunger.

Blessed be the Gracious One Who enriched all our poverty and

filled our need.

Blessed be He Whose mercy inclined Him to heal our sickness.

Blessed be the Holy Child of Bethlehem!

On this day when the Rich One was made poor for our sake, let the

rich man also make the poor man a sharer at his table.

On this day a gift came out to us without our asking for it; let us then

give alms to those who cry out and beg from us.

This is the day when the high gate opened to us for our prayers; let

us also open the gates to the seekers who have strayed but sought

forgiveness.

Today the Deity imprinted itself on humanity, so that humanity might also

be cut into the seal of Deity.

His swaddling clothes gave a robe of glory to human beings.

Christmas Prayer for Christ Incarnate

Lord, in this holy season of prayer and anticipation, we praise You for the great wonders You have sent us: for the brilliant light signaling our Savior’s birth and the angel's song celebrating Him. We praise You for the Word made flesh in Your Son. We behold His glory, and seek to live in imitation of Him. Guide us now as we celebrate the joys of Christmas, mindful of His coming again in glory. Amen.