Nativity Ode

The Holy Children boldly stand
Against the tyrant's fierce command:
The kindled furnace they defy-
No doom can shake their constancy;
They in the midmost flame confessed,
"God of our Fathers! Thou art blessed!"

The Shepherds keep their flocks by night;
The Heaven glows out with wondrous light;
The glory of the Lord is there,
The Angel-bands their Lord declare:
The watchers of the night confessed,
"God of our Fathers! Thou art blessed!"

The Angel ceased; and suddenly
Seraphic legions filled the sky;
"Glory to God," they cry again;
"Peace upon earth, good will to men;
Christ comes!"-And they that heard confess
"God of our Fathers! Thou art blessed!"

What said the Shepherds? "Let us turn
This new-born miracle to learn."
To Bethlehem's gate their footsteps drew;
The Mother with the Child they view;
They knelt, and worshipped and confessed,
"God of our Fathers! Thou art blessed!"

From the Greek by J.M. Nee

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