Come, let us greatly rejoice in the Lord as we tell of this present mystery.

The middle wall of partition has been destroyed; the flaming sword turns back, the cherubim withdraw from the tree of life, and I partake of the delight of Paradise from which I was cast out through disobedience.

For the express Image of the Father, the Imprint of His eternity, takes the form of a servant, and without undergoing change He comes forth from a Mother who knew not wedlock.

For what He was, He has remained, true God:  and what He was not, He has taken upon Himself, becoming man through love for mankind.  Unto Him let us cry aloud:  God born of a Virgin, have mercy upon us.

from the Vespers of Nativity