aloud in gleeful voice;
For, to those in darkness drear,
God in human flesh is near.

II

Cave and manger show the mystery;
Shepherds tell the wondrous tale;
Bearing gifts to lay before Him
From the East the Magi hail;
Taught by angel words to sing,
We unworthy praises bring.

III

Glory be to God eternal!
Peace on earth its reign begin!
For the one Desire of nations
Comes to save us from our sin;
Freedom He will now bestow
From the bondage of the foe.

{Doxa en hypsistois theo}

By St. John of Damascus, 780 A.D.

I

Bethlehem rejoices,
Hark the voices clear,
Singing in the starlight
Nearer and more near.
Unto God be glory,
Peace to men be given,
This His will who dwelleth
In the heights of heaven.

II

Heaven can not contain Him,
Nor the bounds of earth,
Yet, O Glorious Mystery!
Virgin gives Him birth.
Unto God be glory,
Peace to men be given,
This His will who dwelleth
In the heights of heaven.

III

Now the light ariseth
In the darkened skies,
Now the proud are humbled
And the lowly rise.
Unto God be glory,
Peace to men be given,
This His will who dwelleth
In the heights of heaven.

{Semeron ho Hades stenon boa}

({stichera idiomela} of the Holy and Great Sabbath)

I

To-day the groans of Hades rise,--
'Ah, better far for me
The Son of Man had never died
Upon the cursed tree!
For by His power the fettered souls
I held in darkest night,
Are carried through the sundered gates
Into the realm of light.'
Let glory now the Cross adorn,
Hail, hail the Resurrection morn!

II

To-day the groans of Hades rise,--
'My might is overthrown;
I took One dead, from 'mong the dead,
And claimed Him for mine own;
But He hath crushed my ancient power;
And those I held in thrall
Have thrown a