Demonstrations · Part 33

29. The gold that had been worshipped worshipped thee, when the magi offered it.--That which had been worshipped in molten images, gave worship to Thee.--With its worshippers it worshipped Thee, it confessed that Thou art He that is to be worshipped.

R., Blessed is He Who claimed worship for Himself!

30. The Evil One fled and his hosts, he that used to exult in the world.--In the high places they sacrificed heifers to him, in the gardens they slew bulls for him.--He swallowed up all creation, he filled his belly with prey.

R., Blessed be He Who came and made him disgorge!

31. Of him the Lord said, that he had fallen from Heaven.--The Abhorred One had exalted himself; from his uplifting he has fallen. The foot of Mary has trod him down, who bruised Eve with his heel.

R., Blessed be He Who by His Birth laid him low!

32. Chaldeans went about, in all places and led astray:--the preachers of delusion, were shamed through the world,--they were shamed and overcome,--by the preachers of truth.

R., Blessed be the Babe Whom they preached!

33. Sin had spread out, her nets for the draught.--Praise be to Thy Birth that captured, the nets of delusion.--The soul took flight on high, which had been taken in the deep.

R., Blessed is He Who prepared for us wings!

34. His Will was able, even by force to rescue us.--But since it was not force that made us guilty, it was not by force He purged us.--The Evil One by enticement enslaved us: Thy Birth enticed to give us life.

R., Blessed be He Who planned and gave us life!

35. The creatures complained that they were worshipped; in silence they sought release.--The All-Releaser heard, and because He endured it not He came down,--put on the form of a servant in the womb, came forth, set free Creation.

R., Blessed be He Who made his Creation his gain!

36. Mercy was kindled on high, at the voice of Creation that cried out:--Gabriel was sent; he came and gave tidings of Thy Conception.--When Thou camest to the Birth, Watchers gave tidings of thy coming forth.

R., Blessed be by Thy Worship above all!

37. For greater is the joy of the Birth than the Conception.--Yea it was one angel, that brought us tidings of Thy Conception:--but in the joy of Thy Birth, a multitude of Watchers brought tidings.

R., Blessed be Thy tidings in Thy day!

38. Glory to Thee I too in Thy day, will offer, O Thou that art worshipped!--Take of the fruit that is mine; and give me mercy which is Thine!--For if the evil that is in me gives gifts, how much more shalt Thou give Who art good!

R., Blessed is Thy wealth in Thy servant!

39. The two things Thou soughtest, in Thy Birth have been done for us.--Our visible body Thou hast put on; Thy invisible might we have put on:--our body has become Thy clothing; Thy Spirit has become our robe.

R., Blessed be He Who has been adorned and has adorned us!

40. Height and depth were amazed, that Thy Birth subdued the rebels.--For that we gave Thee hostages, Thou gavest us the Paraclete:--when the hostages went up from us, the Captain of the host came down to us.

R., Blessed be He Who took away and sent down!

41. Come ye mouths of all and pour forth, and be in the likeness of waters, and wells of voices! May the Holy Spirit come,--and sing glory through us all, to the Father Who has redeemed us through His Son!

R., Blessed is He above all in His Birth!

Hymn XVI.

(Resp.--Glory to all of Thee from all of us! (bis.)

1. Who then that is mortal man, can declare concerning the All-Life giver,--Who quitted the height of His Majesty, and abased Himself to humility?--Thou Who exaltest all in Thy Birth, exalt my weak mind,--to declare of Thy Birth; not that I should search out Thy Majesty,--but that I should proclaim Thy grace.

R., Blessed be He Who conceals and reveals in His discourses!

2. It is a great marvel that the Son, dwelt wholly in a body;--abode therein wholly and it sufficed for Him; dwelt therein though not bounded thereby.--His Will was wholly therein; His bounds reached wholly to His Father.--Who is sufficient to tell, how though He dwelt wholly in a body.--He likewise dwelt wholly in all?

R., Blessed is He Who though without bounds was bounded!

3. Thy Majesty is concealed from us; Thy Grace is revealed before us.--I will be silent, O Lord of Thy Majesty; and I will tell of Thy grace.--Thy grace clove to Thee, and bowed Thee down to our vileness:--Thy grace made Thee a babe; Thy grace made Thee man:--it straitened, it enlarged, Thy Majesty.

R., Blessed be the might that became little and became great!

4. Glory to Him Who became lowly, though lofty He was by His nature!--He became in His love the firstborn of Mary, Firstborn though He be of Godhead.--He became in name the offspring of Joseph, offspring though He be of the Most High.--He became by His own Will man, God though He be by His Nature.--Glorified be Thy Will and Thy Nature!

R., Blessed be Thy Glory which put on our image!

5. Yea, O Lord, Thy Birth, has become mother of all creatures; for it travailed anew and gave birth, to mankind which gave birth to Thee. Thou wast born of it bodily; it was born of Thee spiritually.--All that Thou camest for to birth, was that man might be born in Thy likeness.--Thy Birth became the author of birth to all.

R., Blessed be He Who became a youth and to all gave youth!

6. When man's hope had broken down, hope was increased by Thy Birth.--Good tidings of hope they bore, the Heavenly Ones to men.--Satan who cut off our hope, his own hope by his own hands had cut off.--when he saw that hope was increased: Thy Birth became to the hopeless,--a fountain teaming with hope.

R., Blessed be He Who bore the tidings of hope!