What Shall We Bring To Thee?

For Christmas Morning

τί σοι προσενέγκωμεν, Χριστὲ

By St. Anatolius, died 458 A.D.
Translation by John Brownlie

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

Meter: 6,6,6,8,8,6

I

What shall we bring to Thee?
What shall our offering be
On this Thy natal morn?
For Thou, O Christ, hast come to earth —
A virgin mother gave Thee birth —
For our redemption born.

II

The whole creation broad
Gives praise and thanks to God,
Who gave His only Son;
And list! the bright angelic throng
Their homage yield in sweetest song
For peace on earth begun.

III

The heavens their glory shed,
The star shines o'er His head,
The promised Christ and King;
And wise men from the lands afar,
Led by the brightness of the star,
Their treasured offerings bring.

IV

What shall we give Thee now?
Lowly the shepherds bow,
Have we no gift to bring?
Our worship, lo, we yield to Thee,
All that we are, and hope to be —
This is our offering.

Note:

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

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