19. O WONDER ONVERWACHT
O wonder onverwacht, Wie had het oyt ghedacht. Wie had het dorven wenschen. Dat noch eens naer des vaders wensch, Eeuwigh Godt hier met ons, ô menschen, Sou worden mensch.
Die 't al geschaepen heeft, Hier nu van koude beeft, In doecxkens teer ghewonden, Op het hoy by den Os gheleyt. Hier nu, ô mensch, Godt om ons sonden Van koude schreyt.
Loopt rasch naer Bethleem, En gaet besoecken hem, Den Os die sal u leeren, Hoe dat ghy het cleen Kindeken, Maer grooten Godt, ô mensch, moet eeren En d'eselken. | [19] O UNEXPECTED WONDER
O unexpected wonder, Who would have thought, Who could have dared wish That once, following his Father's wish, The eternal God would become incarnate And at one with us, His people.
He who brought this about Shivers now from teh cold. Wound about in swaddling clothes And laid on the hay by the oxen. Here and now, mankind, God weeps for cold For our sins' sake.
Run quickly to Bethlehem And visit Him; The ox will teach you How to honour the little Child Who is the mighty God, As will the ass.
Translation © 1997, Peter Lockwood
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