Beyond all question, the mystery of godliness is great.
1 Timothy 3:16
Words: St. Germanus, 734 (Neale’s 1862 version attributed the hymn to St. Anatolius) (Μέγα καὶ παράδοξον θαυμα). Translated from Greek to English by John M. Neale, Hymns of the Eastern Church (London: J. T. Hayes, 1862), pages 64–65, alt. Stichera for Christmas-tide.
Music: Es ist ein Ros’ Alte catholische geistliche Kirchengesäng (Cologne, Germany, 1599). Harmony by Michael Praetorius, 1609 (🔊 pdf nwc).
A great and mighty wonder,
A full and holy cure!
The virgin bears the Infant
With virgin honor pure!
Repeat the hymn again:
To God on high be glory
And peace on earth to men!
The Word becomes incarnate
And yet remains on high,
And cherubim sing anthems
To shepherds from the sky.
Repeat the hymn again:
To God on high be glory
And peace on earth to men!
While thus they sing your monarch,
Those bright angelic bands,
Rejoice, ye vales and mountains!
Ye oceans, clap your hands!
Repeat the hymn again:
To God on high be glory
And peace on earth to men!
Since all He comes to ransom,
By all be He adored,
The Infant born in Bethl’em,
The Savior and the Lord!
Repeat the hymn again:
To God on high be glory
And peace on earth to men!
And idol forms shall perish,
And error shall decay,
And Christ shall wield His scepter,
Our Lord and God for aye.
Repeat the hymn again:
To God on high be glory
And peace on earth to men!