Christmas Wishes 2010

Christ keep us all, as He well can,
A solis ortus cardine;
For He is both God and Man,
Qui natus est de virgine.
Sing we, sing we: Gloria Tibi, Domine.

As He is Lord, both day and night,
Venter puelle baiulat,
So is Mary, mother of might,
Secreta que non noverat.
Sing we, sing we: Gloria Tibi, Domine.

The holy breast of chastity,
Verbo concepit Filium
So brought before the Trinity,
Ut castytatis lyllyum.
Sing we, sing we: Gloria Tibi, Domine.

Between an ox and an ass
Enixa est puerpera;
In poor clothing clothed He was,
Qui regnat super ethera.
Sing we, sing we: Gloria Tibi, Domine.

-- English carol, before 1536 (from Ancient English Christmas Carols: 1400-1700, ed. Edith Rickert)


At right: Hieronymus Bosch, Adoration of the Magi (central panel of altarpiece triptych, c. 1495) -- make sure to click on the large version of the image to see the crazy details