The Nativity Kontakion of St. Romanos the Melodist

Christ is born! Glorify Him!

The Nativity of Christ (source)

   

The first and great Kontakion of St. Romanos the Melodist, written through God's help in honor of His Nativity in the flesh.
   

On the Nativity of Christ
by St. Romanos the Melodist
   
Prelude
Today the Virgin gives birth to him who is above all being,
and the earth offers a cave to him whom no one can approach. Angels with shepherds give glory,
and magi journey with a star,
for to us there has been born
a little Child, God before the ages. 

Bethlehem has opened Eden, come, let us see;
we have found delight in secret, come, let us receive the joys of Paradise within the cave.

There the unwatered root whose blossom is forgiveness has appeared. There has been found the undug well
from which David once longed to drink.
There a virgin has borne a babe
and has quenched at once Adam’s and David’s thirst.
For this, let us hasten to this place where there has been born

a little Child, God before the ages.

(Note, this excerpt is taken from the English translation by Fr. Ephraim Lash of blessed memory, available in his wonderful book: On the Life of Christ: Chanted Sermons by the Great Sixth Century Poet and Singer St. Romanos (Sacred Literature Trust Series); the English text of this translation is available here, is available read by Frederica Mathewes-Green here, and the original Greek is available here)
   

The Nativity of Christ (source)

   

Through the prayers of our Holy Fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us and save us! Amen!