Advent

 

Advent

I & II Vespers: 9^th Century

Cónditor alme síderum,

ætérna lux credéntium,

Christe, redémptor ómnium,

exáudi preces súpplicum.

Qui cóndolens intéritu

mortis períre sæculum,

salvásti mundum lánguidum,

donans reis remédium,

Vergénte mundi véspere,

uti sponsus de thálamo,

egréssus honestíssima

Vírginis matris cláusula.

Cuius forti poténtiæ

genu curvántur ómnia;

cæléstia, terréstria

nutu faténtur súbdita.

Te, Sancte, fide quæsumus,

ventúre iudex sæculi,

consérva nos in témpore

hostis a telo pérfidi.

O kind Creator of the stars, eternal light of the faithful, Christ, redeemer of all men, hear the prayers of those who humbly entreat you. Who grieve that the world should die and perish, did save the ailing world, granting a remedy to the guilty. When the world drew near to evening, as a bridegroom going forth from the wedding bed, you came forth from the Virgin Mother’s most honorable womb. Before your strength of power, all in heaven and earth must bend the knee and confess that they are subject to your command. We beseech you, O Holy One, who will come to judge the world, preserve us in the present time from the weapons of the faithless enemy.

Lauds: 10^th Century

Vox clara ecce íntonat,

obscúra quæque íncrepat:

procul fugéntur sómnia;

ab æthre Christus prómicat.

Mens iam resúrgat tórpida

quæ sorde exstat sáucia;

sidus refúlget iam novum,

ut tollat omne nóxium.

E sursum Agnus míttitur

laxáre gratis débitum;

omnes pro indulgéntia

vocem demus cum lácrimis,

Secúndo ut cum fúlserit

mundúmque horror cínxerit,

non pro reátu púniat,

sed nos pius tunc prótegat.

Summo Parénti glória

Natóque sit victória,

et Flámini laus débita

per sæculórum sæcula. Amen.

Now the loud voice of the Baptist thunders, all darkness is rebuked; sleep flees afar, Christ shines forth from heaven. Now may the sluggish mind, still wounded by impurity, awake, already a new star shines to take away all harm. From heaven a Lamb is sent to free us from our debt, let us all weep and cry out for pardon. That when for a second time he shines and horror grips the world, he will not punish us  for our guilt but in his holiness protect us. To the highest Father glory, to the Son victory, to the flaming Spirit  due praise through all ages. Amen

When the Office of Readings is said in the daytime: 10^th Century

Verbum supérnum pródiens,

a Patre lumen éxiens,

qui natus orbi súbvenis

cursu declívi témporis:

Illúmina nunc péctora

tuóque amóre cóncrema;

audíta per præcónia

sint pulsa tandem lúbrica.

Iudéxque cum post áderis

rimári facta péctoris,

reddens vicem pro ábditis

iustísque regnum pro bonis,

Non demum artémur malis

pro qualitáte críminis,

sed cum beátis cómpotes

simus perénnes cælites.

The Word proceeding from on high,  the Light coming from the Father, born to rescue the world at the end of time.  Enlighten now our hearts burning with your love, when the proclamation is heard, finally deceit is driven off. And then you come as our judge to search out the deeds of the heart,  rendering to each for hidden sins, and the kingdom to the righteous for good deeds.  In the end may we not be crushed for the quality of our evil sins but  in the company of the blessed  be eternally citizens of heaven.