He Made Manhood Young Again

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Blessed be that Child who gladdened Bethlehem today! Blessed be the Babe who made manhood young again today! Blessed be the Fruit, who lowered Himself to our famished state! Blessed be the Good One, who suddenly enriched our poverty and supplied our needs! Blessed be He whose tender mercies made Him condescend to visit our infirmities!

Glory to that Hidden One, whose Son is made manifest! Glory to that Living One, whose Son was made to die! Glory to that Great One, whose Son descended and was small! Glory to the Power who did confine His greatness by a form, His unseen nature by a shape!

-Ephrem the Syrian, Hymn 2 on the Nativity (Source: Oremus, a Lutheran Breviary)