Gaudete!

[IgnatiusOfAntioch]

Rejoice, rejoice!
Christ is born
Of the Virgin Mary
Rejoice!
It is now the time of grace
That we have desired
Let us sing songs of joy
Let us give devotion
God was made man
And nature marvels
The world was renewed
By Christ who is King.
The closed gate of Ezekiel
Has been passed through
From where the light rises
Salvation is found
Therefore let our assembly now sing
Sing the Psalms to purify us
Let it praise the Lord.

 

[Tangible]

Antiphon:
Rejoice in the Lord | always.*
Again will I | say, rejoice!
Let your gentleness be known to | all men.*
The Lord | is at hand. (Philippians 4:4-5)

Psalm:
LORD, You have been favorable | to Your land;*
You have brought back the captivity of | Jacob.
You have forgiven the iniquity of Your | people;*
You have covered | all their sin.
Will You not revive | us again,*
that Your people may re- | joice in You?
I will hear what God the | Lord will speak,*
for He will speak peace to His | people. (Psalm 85:1-2, 6, 8)

 

[Christos Anesti]

St. Ephrem the Syrian from: Hymns on the Nativity (11:6-8)


St. Ephrem the Syrian from: Hymns on the Nativity (11:6-8)

Thy mother is a cause for wonder: the Lord entered her
and became a servant; He who is the Word entered
- and became silent within her; thunder entered her
- and made no sound; there entered the Shepherd of all,
and in her He became the Lamb, bleating as He came forth.


Thy mother’s womb has reversed the roles:
the Establisher of all entered in His richness,
but came forth poor; the Exalted One entered her,
but came forth meek; the Splendrous One entered her,
but came forth having put on a lowly hue.


The Mighty One entered, and put on insecurity
from her womb; the Provisioner of all entered
- and experienced hunger; He who gives drink to all entered
- and experienced thirst: naked and stripped
there came forth from her He who clothes all.