¹ Give ear, O king of Israel,
seated above the Cherubim,
appear before Ephraim’s face,
stir up Your mightiness, and come.

² Redeemer of the Gentiles, come;
show forth the birth from virgin’s womb;
let every age show wonderment;
such birth is fitting for our God.

³ Not issuing from husband’s seed,
but from the Spirit’s mystic breath,
God’s Word was fashioned into flesh,
and thrived as fruit of Mary’s womb.

⁴ The virgin’s womb begins to swell;
her maidenhead remains intact:
the banner of her virtues gleam;
God in His temple lives and stirs.

⁵ From His chamber let Him come forth,
the royal court of chastity,
as giant of His twin natures
eager to hasten on His way.

⁶ First from the Father He set forth,
then to his Father He returns;
He charges to the realms below,
then journeys back to God’s abode.

⁷ You are the eternal Father’s equal;
gird on Your trophy of the flesh,
and strengthen with Your constant power
the frailties of our bodies’ frame.

⁸ Your manger now is all aglow,
the night breathes forth a light unknown;
a light that never night may shroud,
and that shall gleam with constant faith.