Poem: A solis ortus cardine

From the edge of the sunrise, to the ends of the earth,
we sing to Christ our leader, born of the Virgin Mary.
The blest Author of ages took on the form of a slave,
that flesh might be liberated by flesh,
and not consigned to perdition.

The grace of heaven entered the womb of the chaste parent:
the belly of a girl carried secretly that which in uncreated.
He endured a bed of straw, and did not despise the manger;
he was nursed like an ordinary infant.

The celestial choir rejoiced, and sang to God:
the Shepherd of Creation was made know to shepherds.
Jesus, glory be to you, born of the Virgin,
and to the Father and to the Holy Spirit, for eternity of ages. Amen.