This is a Holy Communion Podcast. This hymn on the Nativity of Christ is read from “Divine Eros: Hymns of Saint Symeon the New Theologian.” This podcast is part of our 12 parts series containing sermons and hymns on the Nativity of Christ by Fathers and saints of the Church. Let us briefly recall that Pope St. John  Paul II made a  statement that, “the words of the West need the words of the East, so that God’s word may ever more clearly reveal its unfathomable riches,” Thus , we seek to present work of both Latin and Eastern Theologians of the Church on the Nativity of Christ. The full text that this excerpt is quoted from is available from St. Vladimir’s Seminary Press.

Reference information can be found on this podcast post at www.cooperatorsoftruth.com

…the Logos descended (Jn 10.36)

and dwelt entirely in the womb of the virgin,

and He was wholly in the Father and wholly in the womb,

and wholly in the universe, being uncontainable.

 

Not reduced, not diminished at all, He went entirely in

and remained unchanged. He took the form of a slave

and having been begotten He became human in every way (Phil 2.7).

 

The whole of Him went through the womb and He came into the world;

again He was taken up from whence He was not separated (Mk 16.19).

 

Glory to You, Father, and Son, and the Holy Spirit.

Boundless Divinity, indivisible by nature,

prostrate, we all worship You in the Holy Spirit,

we who have your Spirit, as we have received from You.

Hymn 21, St. Symeon the New Theologian, excerpted from Divine Eros: Hymns of St. Symeon the New Theologian, translated with introduction by Daniel K. Griggs (SVS Press, 2011).