The time came for her to have her
child,
and she gave birth to her
firstborn son. Luke 2:6-7
Sweet mother of Emmanuel,
... in bearing Christ,
... and nurturing Him,
"You are the spiritual altar
of the divine victim,
consecrated to God." (St. Germanus of Constantinople)
Rejoice, Miryam!
You hug the joy of God.
Yahweh has come to you ...
You are happy, rejoicing with all
women,
and joyful is God's fruit within your womb.
Tender woman whose hands
... fed the Child, since he was yours,
... gave bread to the Table of Life,
you are "the table that carries life,
supplying not only loaves of
proposition,
but the bread of heaven." (St.
John of Damascus)
Rejoice, Miryam!
You hug the joy of God.
Yahweh has come to you ...
You are happy, rejoicing with all
women,
and joyful is God's fruit within your womb.
Mary, you are an ark of the covenant,
... hewn by God's design,
... ciborium of the Most Holy,
You are "the celestial tabernacle."
(George the Hymnist)
"He who has his throne in the heavens,
and his footstool on earth, is contained in a womb."
(Andrew of Crete)
Rejoice, Miryam!
You hug the joy of God.
Yahweh has come to you ...
You are happy, rejoicing with all
women,
and joyful is God's fruit within your womb.
Singing, we sing like you, joyful
mother,
... Rejoice, O Life of the Mystical
Banquet,
... Rejoice, holy Vessel overflowing
with joy!
"Tabernacle of God the Word," hold Him!
"Ark that the Spirit has gilded,"
enclose Him!
"Rejoice,
Inexhaustible Treasure of Life!" (The Akathistos Hymn)
Rejoice, Miryam!
You hug the joy of God.
Yahweh has come to you ...
You are happy, rejoicing with all
women,
and joyful is God's fruit within your womb.
Most sorrowful Mother, you gave us your
Son,
... watched him in his agony,
... comforted him at the cross.
"Ordained Virgin, you offer your son."
(Bernard of Clairvaux)
You "posses priesthood: equal,
eminently." (St.Albert the Great)
In mothering, you give us Him, our Eucharist.
Rejoice, Miryam!
You hug the joy of God.
Yahweh has come to you ...
You are happy, rejoicing with all
women,
and joyful is God's fruit within your womb.