The Hymns and Carols of Christmas

In Bethlehem Is He Born

Words: Saint Anatolius, 5th Century
Source: Rev. John Mason Neale, D.D., Hymns of the Eastern Church. First Edition. (London: J. T. Hayes, 1862). Translation by Dr. Neale.

        In Bethlehem is He born,
Maker of all things, everlasting GOD!
        He opens Eden’s gate,
Monarch of Ages! Thence the fiery sword
        Gives glorious passage; thence
That severing mid-wall overthrown, the Powers
        Of earth and Heav’n are one:
Angels and men renew their ancient league,
        The pure rejoin the pure
In happy union! Now the Virgin-womb,
        Like some cherubic throne,
Containeth Him, the Uncontainable:
        Bears Him, Who while they bear
The Seraphs tremble: bears Him, as He comes
        To shower upon the world
The fulness of His everlasting love.

Sheet Music from Rev. John Mason Neale, D.D., Hymns of the Eastern Church. Fourth Edition. (London: J. T. Hayes, 1882), edited by Very Rev. Stephen Georgeson Hatherly, Mus. B., Archpriest of the Patriarchal Æcumenical Throne.

Note:

This hymn occurs in Neale's First Edition, but is omitted from the Second and Third editions, according to a note in the Fourth Edition, edited by edited by Very Rev. Stephen Georgeson Hatherly, Mus. B., Archpriest of the Patriarchal Æcumenical Throne, who adds the hymn in an appendix on p. 190.

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