The Wondrous Paradox of The Incarnation

“Your mother is a cause for wonder: the Lord entered her
and became a servant; He who is the Word entered
— and became silent within her; thunder entered her
—-and made no sound; there entered the Shepherd of all,
and in her He became the Lamb, bleating as He came forth.

Your Mother’s womb has reversed the roles:
the Establisher of all entered in His richness,
but came forth poor; the Exalted One entered her,
but came forth meal; the Splendrous One entered her,
but came forth having put on a lowly hue.

The Mighty One entered, and put on insecurity
from her womb; the Provisioner of all entered
—and experienced hunger; He who gives drink to all
entered
—and experienced thirst: naked and stripped
there came forth from her He who clothes all.”

St. Ephrem the Syrian, Hymns on the Nativity, 11.6-8