What shall we offer you, O Christ,
because you have appeared on earth as a man for our sakes?
For each of the creatures made by you offers you its thanks:
the Angels, their hymn;
the heavens, the Star;
the Shepherds, their wonder;
the Magi, their gifts;
the earth, the Cave;
the desert, the Manger;
and we, a Virgin Mother.
God before the ages, have mercy on us.
Saint Anatolius, 449 – 458, Patriarch of Constantinople
__________________
Make your vows to the Lord your God and perform them;
let all around him bring gifts
to him who is to be feared
prayer & verse 
