The Lord entered her
and became a servant;
he Word entered her,
and became silent within her;
thunder entered her
and his voice was still;
the Shepherd of all entered her;
he became a Lamb in her, and came forth bleating.
The belly of your Mother
changed the order of things,
O you who order all!
Rich he went in, he came out poor:
the High One went into her [Mary],
he came out lowly.
Brightness went into her
and clothed himself,
and came forth a despised form….
He that gives food to all went in,
and knew hunger.
He who gives drink to all went in, and knew thirst.
Naked and bare came forth from her the Clother of all things [in beauty].
Saint Ephrem, Hymn De Nativitate 11: 6-8)
