Hymns from the Greek Office Books Part 8

{klinas ouranous, katebe}

I

The Lord came down from heaven, And dwelt with us below; And in His life was given To taste our bitterest woe; Our flesh He wore, Its ills He bore, Who came to us from heaven.

II

He climbed the rugged steep To where the Cross was raised; And while His followers weep, And angels are amazed, He groaned and sighed, And, wounded, died-- Who climbed the rugged steep.

III

He gave His life for me-- 'Twas for my sin He died,-- O, that all eyes might see The Saviour crucified; And give Him love Who dwells above, And gave His life for me.

{Deute agalliasometha to kyrio, to paron mysterion ekdiegoumenoi}

I

Come, let us sing with joyful mirth The mystery of Immanuel's birth, Who, Virgin born, is here; The middle wall no longer stands, No flaming sword in Cherub's hands Inspires the soul with fear.

II

See, clear the pathway open lies That upward leads to Paradise, Where stands the Tree of Life; And freely may I enter in, Whence I was driven by mortal sin, And worsted in the strife.

III

For He, the Father's only Son, A glorious work hath now begun, Descending from above In servant's form, though yet the Son, Unchanging while the ages run, To win us by His love.

IV

Come, now, let hearts united be To laud His praises joyfully, The G.o.d-Man born to-day.

And let Thy mercy reach us now For pitiful and kind art Thou, O Virgin born, we pray.

{to Pneuma tes aletheias}

I

O Christ, to Thy disciples then, When eyes were sad, and hearts were sore, Thy lips the cheering promise made, To comfort them for evermore.

II

And now what law and prophets spake To waiting hearts in days of old, Has been fulfilled: the Spirit seeks The human heart, as long foretold.

III

O Christ, to us the promise speak, And send Thy Spirit in our need, That He may bless our longing hearts, And ever in Thy precepts lead.

IV

And light the darkness of our night, Till clear the path before us lies; And comfort us in sore distress, And wipe the sorrow from our eyes.

V

And songs of praise to Thee we'll give, O G.o.d the Father, Christ the Son, And Holy Spirit, while we live, And in the ages yet to run.

{ouk apheso hymas orphanous}

I

May Thy bright Spirit, as of old, The love of Christ the Son unfold, And as He hangs upon the Cross, Reveal to men their sin and loss.

II

O Holy Spirit, one with G.o.d, From G.o.d sent down to our abode With us abide in joy and woe, And share our sojourn here below.

III

And give us comfort in our pain, Be in our loss our surest gain; The Christ reveal in all His love, And fit us for our home above.

IV

That we may serve the Christ our Lord, Teach us to know His blessed Word; Our wills renew; our hearts allure, In love and service to endure.

V

Thine be the glory, G.o.d the Lord; Glory to Thee, Incarnate Word; To Thee, blest Spirit, praises be, From age to age eternally.

{ho ploutos kai bathos, sophias Theou!}

I