Hodie Christus natus est			Luca Marenzio (1553-1599)

Hodie Christus natus est: Noe, noe!
    Today Christ is born: Noel, noel!

Hodie Salvator apparuit: Alleluia.
    Today the Savior has appeared: Alleluia.

Hodie in terra canunt angeli, laetantur archangeli: Noe.
    Today on earth the angels sing, the archangels rejoice: Noel.

Hodie exultant justi, dicentes: gloria in excelsis Deo.
    Today the righteous exult, saying: glory to God in the highest.



O nata lux					Thomas Tallis (c. 1505-1585)

O nata lux de lumine, Jesu redemptor saeculi
    O light born from light, Jesus redeemer of the age

Dignare clemens supplicum laudes precesque sumere
    Deign to receive the praises and prayers of your supplicants.

Qui carne quondam contegi dignatus est pro perditis
    You who once deigned to be covered in flesh on behalf of sinners

Nos membra confer effici tui beati corporis
    Bring us together to be made limbs of your precious body.


Quaeramus cum pastoribus			Jean Mouton (c. 1470-1522)

Quaeramus cum pastoribus verbum incarnatum;
    Let us seek with the shepherds the word made flesh;

Cantemus cum hominibus regem saeculorum.  Noe.
    Let us sing (celebrate) with men the king of the ages. Noel.

Quod tu vides in stabulo?  Jesum natum de Virgine.
    What do you see in the stable?  Jesus born of the Virgin.

Quid audis in praesepio?  Angelus cum carmine et pastores dicentes: Noe.
    What do you hear in the stall?  Angels with (their) song and shepherds
							     saying: Noel.

Ubi pascas, ubi cubes, dic, si ploras aut si rides:
    Tell us where you eat, where you sleep, if you cry or if you laugh:

Te rogamus, Rex Christe. Noe
    We beg you, Lord Christ.  Noel.

Cibus et lac virgineum, lectus durum praesepium, carmina sunt lacrimae.  Noe.
    Food and virgin's milk, (your) bed is a hard stall, your songs are tears.
									Noel.

Missa sine titulo					Tallis
...



Magnificat						Tallis
...



Dies sanctificatus			     Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina 
					     (c. 1525-1594)


Dies sanctificatus illuxit nobis: ventie gentes et adorate Dominum:
    The Holy Day has shone upon us: come nations and adore the Lord:

quia hodie descendit lux magna in terris.
    since today the great light has descended to earth.

Haec dies quam fecit Dominus: Exultemus, et laetemur in ea.
    This is the day which the Lord has made: Let us rejoice, and be glad in it.



O magnum mysterium					Palestrina

O magnum mysterium, et admirabile sacramentum
	O great mystery and wondrous sacrament

ut animalia viderent Dominum natum jacentem in praesepio.
	that the animals should see the newborn Lord lying in the manger.

Natum vidimus, et choros angelorum collaudantes Dominum.
	We have seen the birth, and choirs of angels praising the Lord.

Quem vidistis, pastores?  Dicite, annuntiate nobis, quis apparuit?
	Whom have you seen, shepherds?  Speak, proclaim to us, who has appeared?

Natum vidimus, et choros angelorum collaudantes Dominum.
	We have seen the birth, and choirs of angels praising the Lord.