A Christmas Carol

At Bethlehem, that city blest
Did Our Lady take her rest
Mary, fair and undefiled
There conceived and bore a Child
Mater sanctissima
Ora pro nobis

And Saint Joseph, when he saw
Christ asleep upon the straw,
In great love he worshipped there
Mary and the Child she bare
Ave plena gratia
Ave Rosa Mundi

And the beasts that were around
Knelt upon the holy ground
And in dumb amazement they
Praised the Lord on Christmas Day
Omnia O Opera
Benedicite Dominum

But the ox that kneeled down
Nearest to the manger-throne,
When Our Lady stroked his head,
He the Holy Credo said
“Ex Maria Virgine
Et est Homo Factus”

And the shepherds that had heard
Of the coming of the Word
From the mouth of Gabriel
On their knees before Him fell
Sunt beati pauperi
Quorum Dei Regnum

Then the kings from out the east
Started to the Birthday feast
Came and knelt, and, as is told,
Brought Him incense, myrrh, and gold
Ecce Deus de Deo
Est et Lux de Luce

So God’s Mother sweetly smiled
Lifting up her wondrous Child
And for ever and for aye
Blessed the world on Christmas Day
Nam et nobis hodie
Ec est Infans natus

— (c.1896-98).