oi παΐοες ευσέβεια.

The Holy Children boldly stand
Against the tyrant’s dread command:
The kindled furnace they defy, —
No doom can shake their constancy:
They in the midmost flame confessed,
“God of our Fathers! Thou art blessed!”

The Shepherds keep their flocks by night;
The Heaven glows out with wondrous light;
The glory of the Lord is there,
The Angel-bands their King declare:
The watchers of the night confessed,
“God of our Fathers! Thou art blessed!”

The Angel ceased; and suddenly
Seraphic legions filled the sky:
Glory to God, they cry again:
Peace upon earth, good will to men:
Christ comes! — And they that heard confessed,
“God of our Fathers! Thou art blessed!”

What said the Shepherds? “Let us turn
This new-born miracle to learn.”
To Bethlehem’s gate their footsteps drew:
The Mother with the Child they view:
They knelt, and worshipped, and confessed,
“God of our Fathers! Thou art blessed!”

-ST. COSMAS.