Irmos: A strange and most glorious mystery do I behold: the cave is heaven; the Virgin, the throne of the cherubim; the manger, the place wherein lay Christ God, Whom naught can contain, Whom praising, we magnify.
Then the second choir chanteth the same refrain and irmos. We chant the six remaining refrains, one to each troparion.
Refrain: Magnify, O my soul, the all-pure Virgin Theotokos, who is more honorable and more glorious than the armies on high.
Then the first choir chanteth the refrain of the second canon—
Refrain: Magnify, O my soul, God Who of the Virgin was born in the flesh.
The magi beheld the excellent course of the strange star which was newly appeared, illumining the heavens and marking the birth of Christ the King in Bethlehem, for our salvation.
Refrain: Magnify, O my soul, the King Who was born in the cave.
The magi beheld the excellent course…
Refrain: Magnify, O my soul, God Who is worshipped by the magi.
The star revealed the newborn infant King to the magi who said: “Where is He, for we have come to worship Him?” But Herod who fought against God, enraged, was troubled, seeking to slay the Christ.
Refrain: Magnify, O my soul, Him Who was proclaimed to the magi by the star.
The star revealed…
Refrain: Magnify, O my soul, the only pure Virgin Theotokos, who gave birth to Christ the King.
Herod inquired concerning the time of the star, following whose course the magi worshipped Christ with gifts in Bethlehem; but, guided thereby to their homeland, they left the cruel murderer of the infants behind in mockery.
Refrain: The magi and shepherds have come to worship Christ Who hath been born in the city of Bethlehem.
Herod inquired concerning the time…
Refrain: Today the Virgin giveth birth to the Master within the cave.
Translated by Isaac Lambertsen. Edition menaion.en.lambertsen.