CHRISTMAS EVE
[May be sung in unison throughout.]
3 The virgin womb that burden gained
With virgin honour all unstained;
The banners there of virtue glow;
God in his temple dwells below.
4 Forth from his chamber goeth he,
That royal horns of purity,
A giant in twofold substance one,
Rejoicing now his course to run.
5 From God the Father he proceeds,
To God the Father back he speeds;
His course he runs to death and hell,
Returning on God’s throne to dwell.
6 O equal to thy Father, thou!
Gird on thy fleshly mantle now;
The weakness of our mortal state
With deathless might invigorate.
7 Thy cradle here shall glitter bright,
And darkness breathe a newer light,
Where endless faith shall shine serene,
And twilight never intervene.
8. All laud to God the Father be,
All praise, eternal Son, to thee:
All glory, as is ever meet,
To God the Holy Paraclete.
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