Today the Virgin
John Tavener, Mother Thekla
Today the Virgin comes to the cave
To give birth to the Word eternal:
Rejoice, O World
With the Angels and the Shepherds
Give glory to the Child!
Alleluia!
Mary my wife, O Mary my wife!
What do I see?
I took you blameless before the Lord
From the priests of the Temple
What do I see?
Rejoice, O World
With the Angels and the Shepherds
Give glory to the Child!
Alleluia!
Joseph the Bridegroom
O Joseph the Bridegroom!
Do not fear
God in his mercy has come down to earth
He takes flesh in my womb
For all the world to see
Mary, my Bride, O Mary my Bride
What do I see?
You, a virgin giving birth
Strange mystery!
Warned by the Angel we believe
That Mary gives birth inexplicable
To the infant, Christ, our God