At the birth of the Son, a great shout arose in Bethlehem. The Watchers descended and praised there; their voices became a great thunder. At that sound of praise, the silent ones came and praised the Son.
Refrain: Blessed is the Child in whom Eve and Adam were made young again.
The shepherds came carrying the best gifts of the flock: sweet milk, pure meat, and fitting praise. They apportioned them: to Joseph the meat, to Mary the milk, and to the Son the praise.
They brought and offered Him a suckling lamb to the Paschal Lamb, a firstborn to the Firstborn, a sacrifice to the Sacrifice, a lamb of time to the Lamb of Truth. Beautiful was the sight: a lamb was offered to the Lamb.
The lamb bleated as it was offered. Before the Firstborn it confessed the Lamb who had come to free sheep and oxen from sacrifices, and the Paschal lamb whose passing gave way to the Passover of the Son.
The shepherds drew near and worshiped Him with their staffs. They greeted Him in peace while prophesying: ‘Peace to You, O Chief of Shepherds!’ The staff of Moses gives thanks to Your staff, O Shepherd of all.
For Moses confesses You: his lambs became wolves, his sheep became like dragons, and his ewes became sharp-toothed beasts. In the fearful wilderness his flock grew lawless and rose against him.
But the shepherds give thanks to You, for You reconcile wolves and lambs within the flock. You are the Child older than Noah and younger than Noah, who reconciled all, like the Ark amid the waves.
David Your father killed a lion for the sake of a lamb. You, O Son of David, kill the hidden wolf who killed Adam—the innocent lamb who grazed and bleated in Paradise.
At that sound of praise the brides were stirred and consecrated themselves; virgins became chaste, and even young girls grew sober. They came forward in groups upon groups and worshiped the Son.
The aged women of David’s city came to the daughter of David, blessed her, and said: ‘Blessed is our city, whose streets have been illumined by the rays of Jesse! Today the throne of David is established in You, O Son of David.’
The old men cried: ‘Blessed is the Child who made Adam young again. Adam grieved when he saw himself grown old and worn, while the serpent that killed him cast off its skin and grew young. Blessed is the Child in whom Eve and Adam were made young again.’
The chaste women said: ‘Blessed Fruit, bless the fruits of our wombs; let them be given to You as firstfruits.’ They became fervent and prophesied about their children, who, when killed for Him, would be plucked for Him like firstfruits.
The barren women caressed Him and carried Him, rejoicing: ‘Blessed Fruit born without union, bless our wombs within marriage; through marriage have mercy on our barrenness, O wondrous Child of virginity.’