Advent Poem 13

from Hymn on the Nativity

by Ephrem of Syria

Your mother is a cause for wonder: The Lord entered her

and became a servant; he who is the Word entered

and became silent within her; thunder entered her

and made no sound; there entered the Shepherd of all,

and in her he became the Lamb, bleating as he came forth.

Your mother's womb has reversed the roles:

the Establisher of all entered in his richness,

but came forth poor; the Exalted One entered her,

but came forth meek; the Splendrous One entered her,

but came forth having put on a lowly hue.

The Mighty One entered, and put on insecurity

from her womb; the Provisioner of all entered

and experienced hunger; he who gives drink to all entered

and experienced thirst: naked and stripped

there came forth from her he who clothes all.