Hodie nobis caelorum Rex de Virgine nasci dignatus est, ut hominem perditum ad caelestia regna revocaret: * Gaudet exercitus Angelorum: quia salus aeterna humano generi apparuit. V. Gloria in excelsis Deo, et in terra pax hominibus bonae voluntatis. R. Gaudet exercitus Angelorum: quia salus aeterna humano generi apparuit. V. Gloria Patri, et Filio, et Spiritui Sancto.
R. Hodie nobis caelorum Rex ... (The first responsory of Christmas Matins.)
R. Today the King of heaven deigned to be born of a Virgin for us, that He might bring back to the kingdom of heaven man who was lost.
* The host of Angels rejoiceth, because eternal salvation hath appeared to the human race.
V. Glory to God in the highest, and on earth. peace to men of goodwill. The host of Angels... Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost. Today...
The Gregorian chant version, sung by the schola of the Fraternity of St Peter’s seminary in Bavaria.  |
| The Adoration of the Shepherds, 1620, by the Flemish painter Cornelis de Vos. Public domain image from Wikimedia Commons. |
A polyphonic setting by the Italian composer Giovanni Maria Nanino (1544-1607).
On behalf of the publisher and writers of New Liturgical Movement, I wish all of our readers a Merry Christmas, and every blessing from the Child that is born unto us! By the prayers of the Holy Mother of God and all the Saints, may God grant the world peace in the coming year.
