Hymns of the Eastern Church (5th ed.) ‎#148

148. O Wondrous Mystery, Full of Passing Grace

O wondrous mystery, full of passing grace!
The grot becometh Heav’n: the Virgin’s breast
The bright Cherubic Throne: the stall that place,
Where He, Who fills all space, vouchsafes to rest:
CHRIST our GOD, to Whom we raise
Hymns of thankfulness and praise!

The course propitious of the unknown Star
The Wise-men followed on its heavenly way,—
Until it led them, beckoning from afar,
To where the CHRIST, the King of all things, lay:
Him in Bethlehem they find,
Born the SAVIOUR of mankind.

“Where is the Child,” they ask, “the new-born King,
Whose herald-light is glittering in the sky,—
To Whom our offerings and our praise we bring?”
And Herod’s heart is troubled utterly.
Armed for war with GOD, in vain
Would he see that Infant slain.

Text Information

• First Line: O Wondrous Mystery, Full of Passing Grace
• Title: O Wondrous Mystery, Full of Passing Grace
• Translator: John Mason Neale (1862)
• Author: Cosmas, the Melodist (760)
• Meter: 10,10,10,10,7,7
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1866

Tune Information

(No tune information)