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For those who don’t know, +Ephraim the Syrian was known as “the Harp of the Holy Spirit” because of his magnificent hymns and poems. The verse I quoted was from one of his, I think, eighteen poems in praise of the Theotokos.

You might also appreciate these three final stanzas of the Nativity Kontakion of +Ephraim fellow Syrian, +Romanos the Melodist:

“When the blameless Virgin saw the magi bringing
new and radiant gifts and worshiping,
the star showing him, the shepherds praising him,
she implored the Maker and Creator of all these, saying,
‘Accept, my Child, a trinity of gifts,
grant her who gave you birth three requests.
I pray to you for the seasons
and for the fruits of the earth and for those who dwell on it.
Be reconciled to all, because through me you have been born
a little Child, God before the ages.

‘For I am not simply your mother, compassionate Savioor;
it is not in vain that I suckle the giver of milk,
but for the sake of all I implore you.
You have made me the mouth and the boast of all my race,
and your world has me
as a mighty protection, a wall and a buttress.
They look to me, those who were cast out
of the Paradise of pleasure, for I bring them back.
May all things understand that, through me, you have been born
a little Child, God before the ages.

‘Save the world, O Savior. For this you have come.
Set your whole universe aright. For this you have shone
on me and on the magi and on all creation.
For see, the magi, to whom you have shown the light of your face,
fall down before you and offer gifts,
useful, fair and eagerly sought.
For I have need of them, since I am about
to go to Egypt and to flee with you and for you,
my Guide, my Son, my Maker, my Redeemer,
a little Child, God before the ages.’