A Nativity Prayer

Christ is born, glorify him.
Christ comes from heaven, go out to meet him.
Christ descends to earth; be raised up!
Sing to the Lord all the whole earth;
and that I may join both in one word,
Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad,
for him who is of heaven and then of earth.
Christ is in the flesh,
rejoice with trembling and with joy;
with trembling because of your sins,
with joy because of your hope.

The people that sat in the darkness of ignorance,
let them see the great light of full knowledge.
The old has passed away, behold, the new has come.
The letter gives way, the Spirit comes to the front.
He who is not carnal is Incarnate;
the Son of God becomes the Son of Man,
Jesus Christ the Same yesterday, and today, and for ever.

Source: Gregory of Nazianzus

Source of this version: Freely adapted from http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/310238.htm

Also found here: http://holycrossoca.org/newslet/0712.html

“Let the heavens rejoice” quotes Psalm 96:11

“The people who sat…” quotes Isaiah 9:2

“The old has passed…” quotes 2 Corinthians 5:17

“Yesterday, today…” quotes Hebrews 13:8

Published by

pastorstratman

Lutheran pastor and musician serving St. Stephen's in Beaver Dam, Wisconsin.

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