Christ is Born, Go Forth To Meet Him

Christ is Born, Go Forth To Meet Him

For Christmas

Χριστὸς γεννᾶται

By St. Cosmas, 760 A.D.

ὁ Εἱρμός

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

Meter: 8,7,8,7,7,7

Christ is born, go forth to meet Him,
Christ by all the heaven adored;
Singing songs of welcome, greet Him,
For the earth receives her Lord.
All ye nations shout and sing;
For He comes, your glorious King.

troparion

Once His heavenly image bearing,
Man has sunk to depths of sin;
Now defiled, debased, despairing,
Clad in rags and foul within;
But our God, who beauty gave,
Lifts the soul He comes to save.

III

From the height of heaven beholding,
Pity filled the heart of grace,
And our Lord, His love unfolding,
Made the earth His dwelling-place;
And a virgin mother gave
God Incarnate, man to save.

Wisdom, Might, and Word Eternal,
Glory of the Father, Thou!
Hid from man and powers supernal,
Lo, He wears our nature now!
To the Lord your worship bring,
Praise Him, your victorious King.

Note:

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

Other translations include:

Christ Is Born, Him Glorify (Richard Frederick Littledale )
Christ Is Born! Tell Forth His Fame! (John Mason Neale)