After 16 December

 

 

Office of Readings: St. Ambrose

 

Milfull: Winchester Hymnal at Christmas Matins; Canterbury on Advent 3^rd, 4^th and Christmas Vigil; “This is Ambrose’s Christmas hymn Indende qui regis without the first verse."

 

Veni, redémptor géntium,

osténde partum Vírginis;

mirétur omne sæculum:

talis decet partus Deum.

 

Non ex viríli sémine,

sed mýstico spirámine

Verbum Dei factum est caro

fructúsque ventris flóruit.

 

Alvus tuméscit Vírginis,

claustrum pudóris pérmanet,

vexílla virtútum micant,

versátur in templo Deus.

 

Procédat e thálamo suo,

pudóris aula régia,

géminæ gigas substántiæ

alácris ut currat viam.

 

Æquális ætérno Patri,

carnis tropæo cíngere,

infírma nostri córporis

virtúte firmans pérpeti.

 

Præsépe iam fulget tuum

luménque nox spirat novum,

quod nulla nox intérpolet

fidéque iugi lúceat.

 

 

Come, O Redeemer of the nations, reveal your virgin birth; all the world marvels that such a birth befits God. No from the seed of man but from mystical breath the Word of God was made flesh and the fruit of the womb flourished. The Virgin’s womb grows large, the enclosure remains pure, the banners of the virtues shine, God enters his temple. He goes forth from the wedding chamber, the royal halls of modesty, a hero of twofold substance, he swiftly runs his course. Equal to the eternal Father, girded with the trophy of the flesh, strengthening the weakness of our bodies with infinite power. Even now your manger shines and night breathes a new light, which no night may interrupt,

and shines with the highest faith.

 

 

Vespers: 10^th Century

 

Verbum salútis ómnium,

Patris ab ore pródiens,

Virgo beáta, súscipe

casto, María, víscere.

 

Te nunc illústrat cælitus

umbra fecúndi Spíritus,

gestes ut Christum Dóminum,

æquálem Patri Fílium.

 

Hæc est sacráti iánua

templi seráta iúgiter,

soli suprémo Príncipi

pandens beáta límina.

 

Olim promíssus vátibus,

natus ante lucíferum,

quem Gábriel annúntiat,

terris descéndit Dóminus.

 

Læténtur simul ángeli,

omnes exsúltent pópuli:

excélsus venit húmilis

salváre quod períerat.

 

The Word of the salvation of all, proceeding from the mouth of the Father, receive, O blessed Virgin Mary, in your chaste womb. Now the heavenly, fertile Spirit has overshadowed you with light that you might give birth to Christ the Lord, to the Son equal to the Father.  This gate of the holy temple, long closed, now its blessed threshold is opened by the only supreme Ruler. Once promised through the prophets, born before the morning star, Gabriel announced, the Lord who descends to earth.  Let angels rejoice together, all the people exult; the Most High comes in humility to save that which has been lost.