What a Wonder is Your Mother

'What a wonder is your mother! The Lord entered her, and became a Servant; the Word entered her, and became silent within her; Thunder entered her, and His voice was still; the Shepherd of all entered her, and He became a Lamb ... the Rich went in, He came out poor; the Most High went in, He came out lowly. Brightness went into her and clothed Himself and came forth in the form of One despised... He Who gives food to all went in, and got hunger; He Who gives all to drink went in and got thirst. From her came forth naked the One Who clothes all.'

St. Ephraem the Syrian

Painting: Eduard Veith, 1896