While Ukrainian is the first language of many of our readers, it is not necessarily the language of daily life, especially not more formal and abstract language as used in Church. As a fun test, have you ever tried translating some of our ol’ standards - Бог Предвічний, Нова Радість Стала, or Небо й Земля?

Well here they are! Enjoy!

Бог Предвічний

God eternal is born today!
He came down from above
To save us with His love and to bring joy to all!

Bethlehem was His place of birth
God on High, glory be evermore, eternally!
Joy and peace on earth!

Let us all sing: “Praise the newborn King!”
Glory to God on high and peace on earth to us all!
Come, let us adore!

Нова Радість Стала

There was great rejoicing on that Christmas morn,
o’er the manger, softly glowing the bright star was shining.

Christ was born in glory, of the Virgin Mary
Let us humbly, like the shepherds, kneel in adoration.

Angels softly singing, glory and praise proclaiming!
From the heavens to the manger, our Lord and Saviour praising!

Небо й Земля

Heaven and earth, o heaven and earth now sing in triumph!
Angels and people, o ye angels and people - join in celebration!
For Christ the Lord is born - come and behold Him!
The choirs of angels are singing, Christ the King they are greeting.
The shepherds celebrate, the wisemen contemplate -
”O wonder, o wonder” they all proclaim.