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Idiomel Stichera

Tone 1. By Monk John

Let heaven and earth today prophetically be glad. Let us, Angels and mortals, spiritually keep festival, for God has appeared in flesh, born from a woman, to those who sit in darkness and shadow. A cave and a manger have received him. Shepherds proclaim him. Magi from the East bring gifts in Bethlehem, while with unworthy lips let us bring him praise, as we sing, like the Angels, ‘Glory to God in the highest and peace on earth’; for the expectation of the nations has come. He has come, he has saved us from the slavery of the foe.

Same Tone. Same author.

Heaven and earth have been made one today, now that Christ is born. Today God has come upon earth, and humanity gone up to heaven. Today for humankind the One who by nature is unseen is seen. Therefore let us too give glory as we cry to him, ‘Glory to God in the highest and peace on earth, with which your Coming has rewarded us. Our Saviour, glory to you!’

Same Tone. Same author.

‘Glory to God in the highest’, I hear in Bethlehem today, sung by the Bodiless Powers, to the One who has been well-pleased for there to be peace on earth. Now the Virgin is wider than the heavens; for light has dawned for those in darkness, and has exalted the lowly, who like the Angels sing, ‘Glory to God in the highest!’

When he saw that the one in his image and likeness had fallen away through transgression, Jesus bowed the heavens and came down and made his dwelling in a virgin womb without change, that in it he might refashion corrupted Adam as he cried, ‘Glory to your epiphany, my Redeemer and my God!’

By Monk John.**

Magi, Persian Kings, having clearly learnt that the heavenly King had been born on earth, drawn by a bright star arrived in Bethlehem, bringing chosen gifts, gold and incense and myrrh. And falling down they worshipped, for they saw lying in the Cave the Timeless as a babe.

By Germanos.**

All the Angels in heaven dance and rejoice today, while all creation leaps for joy for the Saviour Lord who has been born in Bethlehem; because all the error of idols has ceased and Christ reigns to the ages.