Lo, God in man is manifest!
tell out the joyous story:
tell how the Wise Men
worshipped the Son Incarnate.
Sages from furthermost Orient stream to bow before His boundless power. Who is the King whom the prophets foretold should come to save both Jew and Gentile?
Lo! He humbleth Himself from His throne of glory, taketh on Him the form of servant. He who is God before all ages now is born of the Virgin Mary.
See fulfilled is Balaam's prophetcy:
Out of Jacob shall a star arise--
so 'twas promised! See the Wise Men offer Him their costliest presents:
Gold and myrrh and fragrant incense.
Rising up in power and majesty,
He shall strike with dread discomfiture
Moab's princes.
Offerings significant: incense shows His Godhead;
gold, His kingdom; myrrh, His passion.
Join, then, in one solemn chorus and raise
the melody of praise and glory,
which may betoken oblations most rare
which to our Lord we fain would offer.
Praying that His true protection
over all nations be extended,
now and forever. Amen.
from the Sarum Use of the Mass, Epiphaniam Domino
Leave a comment