For Christmas

Δόξα ἐν ὑψίστοις θεῷ

By St. John of Damascus, 780 A.D.
Translator: John Brownlie

Source: John Brownlie, Hymns of the Greek Church (Edinburgh and London: Oliphant, Anderson & Ferrier, 1900)
See: Christmas Hymns from John Brownlie

Meter: 6,5,6,5

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.

Note:

This same translation is also found in John Brownlie's Hymns of the Early Church (London: Morgan & Scott LD, 1913).