pre-eternal

Make ready, O Bethlehem. * Open wide to all, O Eden. * Prepare thineself, O Ephratha. * In a cave, a Virgin's womb shall soon bring forth the Tree of Life, * and, like paradise itself, * She will bear the Divine Fruit. * Wherewith, if we eat of it, we shall never die like Adam -- * for, by His birth, Christ will raise the image that fell so long ago. Though He holds the universe in the palm of His hand, * we shall soon see Him in Bethlehem, wrapped in swaddling clothes. * Let us prepare for this feast by singing to that Maiden Who will bring Him into this world, * for, like every mother, She is filled with joy over the Son She carrieth in her womb. By summoning the wise men with a star, * the heavens lead the first among the Gentiles to worship Thee. * When they find Thee, it is neither throne nor sceptre that amazeth them, * but the utter poverty of that awesome birth. * And indeed, what could be more lowly than a cave, * more humble than swaddling clothes? * Yet, for all that poverty, the riches of Thy divinity shine forth resplendently. * O, Infant Lord and Saviour, glory to Thee! When Mariamne and Joseph went to register at Bethlehem as members of David's house, * She was carrying the Child of virginity in Her womb. * As the time for Her delivery drew near, * there was no room for them at the inn. * And when a cave was shown to them, * it seemed like a palace to that royal Mother. * So it was that Christ was born, * to raise the image that had fallen so long ago. Today, the virgin maketh Her way to a cave, * and there She will bear the eternal Word in a way beyond our understanding. * Let all creation rejoice in this news; * with the shepherds and the angels, * let us give glory to the eternal God, * Who cometh to all humankind as a newborn Child! *

(From the prefestal hymns of Christmas...)