The feast day of your birth resembles you, Lord,
Because it brings joy to all humanity.
Old people and infants alike enjoy your day.
Kings and emperors may pass away,
And the festivals to commemorate them soon lapse.
But your festival will be remembered till the end of time.
Your day is a means and a pledge of peace.
At your birth heaven to earth on that day
You forgave ours sins and wiped away our guilt.
You gave us so many gifts on your birthday:
A treasure chest of spiritual medicine for the sick;
Spiritual light for those that are blind;
The cup of salvation for the thirsty;
The bread of life for the hungry.
In the winter when trees are bare,
You give us the most succulent spiritual fruit.
In the frost when the earth is barren,
You bring new hope to our souls.
In December when seeds are hidden in the soil,
The staff of life springs forth from the virgin womb.
Ephraim the Syrian, c.306-373
No comments:
Post a Comment