Texts and Translations Gaude, virgo, salutata gabriele nuncio. Gaude, mater jucundata jesu puerperio. Gaude, conresuscitata resurgente filio. Gaude, tua sublimata prole plena gaudio. Gaude, sumpta et locata cum jesu in solio. Esto nobis advocata in magno judicio, o maria.

Rejoice, virgin greeted by Gabriel, the messenger. Rejoice, mother delighted by Jesus' birth. Rejoice, you who are resuscitated with the rising son. Rejoice in all your upraised joyful descendants. Rejoice, you who are taken up and placed on the throne with Jesus. Be our advocate at the great judgment, O Mary. Translation: S. Hellauer

Edi beo þu hevene quene folkes frovre and engles blis, moder unwemmed and maiden clene swich in world non oþer nis. On þé hit is wel eþ sene of alle wimmen þu havest þet pris mi swete levedi, her mi béne and reu of mé 3if þi wille is. Þu aste3e so þe dai3 rewe þe deleð from þe deorke nicht, of þe sprong a leome newe, þat al þis world haveð ili3t. Nis non maide of þine heowe, swo fair, so sschene, so rudi, swo bricht; swete levedi of me þu reowe, and have merci of þin knicht. Spronge blostme of one rote, þe holi gost þe reste upón, þet wes for monkunnes bote and heore soule to alesen for on. Levedi milde, softe and swote, ic crie þe merci, ic am þi mon boþe to honde and to fote, on alle wise þat ic kon. Moder ful of þewes hende, Maide drei3 and wel itaucht, ic ém in þine love bende and to þe is al mi draucht. Þu me sschild 3e from þe feonde ase þu ert freo, and wilt, and maucht, help me to mi lives ende, and make me wið þin sone isau3t.

Blessed be Thou, Queen of heaven, comfort of men and bliss of angels, unblemished mother and pure virgin, such as no other is in the world. As for Thee, it is most readily seen that of all women Thou hast that prize. My sweet Lady, hear my prayer and have pity on me, if Thou wilt. Thou didst ascend like the first dawn that brings dark night to an end; from Thee sprang a new light that has lightened the whole world. There is no other maid like Thee, so fair, so beautiful, so ruddy, so radiant, so bright; sweet Lady, pity me and have mercy on Thy knight. O blossom sprung forth from a root, the Holy Ghost reposed upon Thee; that was for mankind's salvation to deliver their soul in exchange for one. Gracious Lady, gentle and sweet, I cry to Thee for mercy; I am Thy man with hand and foot, in every way I can. Mother, full of gracious virtues, maiden patient and well-taught, I am in the bonds of Thy love, and everything draws me to Thee. Wouldst Thou shield me from the fiend, as Thou art noble, willing and able; help me to my life's end and reconcile me with Thy son. Translation: E. H. Sanders

Balaam de quo vaticinans: “Iam de Iacob nova micans, orbi lumen inchoans, [rutilans] exibit stella.” Huic ut placuit, tres magi mistica virtute triplici portabant munera, ipsum mirifice regem dicencia deum et hominem mira potencia

Prophesying him, Balaam said: “Now a new star shall arise out of Jacob, flashing and shining, creating light for the world.” In order to please him, the three Magi be threefold virtue brought mystic gifts, which pronounced him miraculously king, god, and man by wondrous power. Translation: E. H. Sanders

Gabriel, fram heven-king sent to þe maide sweete, broute hir blisful tiding and fair he gan hir greete:

Gabriel, sent from the king of heaven to the sweet maiden, brought her happy news and greeted her courteously:

‘Heil be þu, ful of grace ari3t! For Godes son, þis heven-li3t, for mannes love wil man bicome fles of þee, maide bri3t, manken free for to make of sen and devles mi3t.’ Mildelich him gan andswere þe milde maide þanne: ‘Wichewise sold ich bere a child withute manne?’ Þangel hir seid, ‘Ne dred tee nout; þurw þoligast sal been iwrout þis ilche þing warof tiding ich bringe; al manken wurth ibout þurw þine sweet childinge and ut of pine ibrout.’ Wan þe maiden understood and þangels wordes herde, mildelich with milde mood to þangel hie andswerde: ‘Ure lords þewe maid iwis ich am, þat heer aboven is. Anentis me fulfurthed be þi sawe þat ich, sith his wil is, a maid, withute law, of moder have þe blis.’ Þangel went awei mid þan al ut of hire si3te; hire womb arise gan þurw þoligastes mi3te. in hir wes Crist bilok anon, sooth God, sooth man in fles and bon, and of hir fles ibore wes at time. Warþurw us kam good won; he bout us ut of pine and let him for us slon. Maiden-moder makeles, of milce ful ibunde, bid for us him þat te ches, at wam þu grace funde, þat he forgive us sen and wrake and clene of evri gelt us make and heven-blis, wan ur time is to sterve, us give, for þine sake, him so heer for to serve þat he us to him take.

“Hail be thou, full of grace indeed! For God’s son, this light of heaven, for love of man will become man and take flesh from thee, fair maiden, to free mankind from sin and the devil’s power.” The gentle maiden then gently answered him: “In what way should I bear a child without a husband?” The angel said to her, “Fear not; this very thing of which I bring news will be done by the means of the Holy Spirit; all mankind will be redeemed by means of thy sweet child-bearing and brought out of torment.” When the maiden understood and heard the angel’s words, she answered the angel gently, with gentle spirit: “I am indeed the bond-maid of our Lord, who is above. Concerning me may thy saying be fulfilled, that I, since it is his will, may as a maiden, contrary to natural law, have the bliss of a mother.” The angel went away with that, altogether out of her sight; her womb began to swell through the power of the Holy Spirit. In her Christ was straightaway enclosed, true God and true man in flesh and bone, and was born of her flesh in due time. Whereby good hope came to us; he redeemed us from torment and let himself be slain for us. Matchless maiden-mother, fully endowed with compassion, pray for us to him who chose thee, in whose sight thou didst find grace, that he forgive us sin and hostility and make us innocent of every offence, and, when it is our time to die, give us the bliss of heaven, and [grant us], for thy sake, so to serve him here that he may take us to himself. Translation: Lawrence Rosenwald

Lullay my child and wepe no more Sclepe and be now styll Kynge of blis thi fader he es And thus it es his wyll. This ender nithgt I sauy ha sithgt Ha may ha credill kepe, Hand ever schuy sang Hande sayde in mang, Lullay my child ande slepe. I may nocht slepe I may bot wepe I ham so wobegony. Slepe I wolde But me hes colde Hande clothse hauf I nony. The chylde was swet Hand sor he wepe Hande ever me thoht he sayde Moder dere Way doy I here In crache wy ham I layde Adam gilt That man has spilde That syn rues me fole sore Man for the Here sal I be xxx [Thyrty] yere ande mor.

Dolles to dreye And I sale dye, Ande hyng I sale on the rode Wondys to wete My bals to bethe Ande gif my fleches to blode.

Lullay my child and weep no more, sleep and be still now. Your father is the king of heavenly bliss and thus it is all as he wishes it to be. The other night, I saw a sight, a maiden watched by a cradle, and ever she sang and all the while said: lullay my child and sleep. I cannot sleep, I can only weep: I am so woebegone. I would sleep, but I am cold, and I have no clothing. The child was sweet, but he wept sorely, and ever I thought he said: Mother dear, what am I doing here? Why am I lying in a manger? Adam’s transgression that condemned humankind to perdition, that sin grieves me sorely. Mankind, for you will I stay here for thirty years and more.

I will endure suffering, and I will die, and I will be hung on the cross. To wash away sin and to redeem mankind I will give my body to be bloodied.

A spere so charpe Sale thirll my hert For the dede that man has done Fadere ofe blys, Wartu thu has Forsakin me thi sone.

A spear so sharp will pierce my heart because of the sins of man. Father of heavenly bliss, why have you forsaken me, your son? Translation: Marsha Genensky

Peperit virgo, virgo regia, mater orphanorum, mater orphanorum. Peperit virgo, virgo regia, mater orphanorum, plena gracia.

Præbuit honorem vox angelica regi angelorum, regi angelorum. Præbuit honorem vox angelica regi angelorum cantando gloria.

Puero feruntur tria munera obsequio magorum, obsequio magorum. Puero feruntur tria munera obsequio magorum cum stella prævia.

Tribuat salutem virgo cælica, sola spes lapsorum, sola spes lapsorum. Tribuat salutem virgo calica, sola spes lapsorum in hac miseria.

Angelo docente nati magnalia, vigilia pastorum, vigilia pastorum – angelo docente nati magnalia, vigilia pastorum, laus et læticia.

Virgo, prece pia per tua munera, regina supernorum, regina supernorum – virgo, prece pia per tua munera, regina supernorum, duc nos ad supera.

A maiden gave birth, a royal maiden, the mother of orphans. A maiden gave birth, a royal maiden, the mother of orphans, full of grace.

The angelic voice paid honor to the king of the angels. The angelic voice paid honor to the king of the angels by singing “Glory.”

Three gifts are borne to the child as the homage of the magi. Three gifts are borne to the child as the homage of the magi, with the star leading the way.

She grants salvation, the heavenly maiden, the only hope of the fallen. She grants salvation, the heavenly maiden, the only hope of the fallen in this misery.

To the angel who tells of the mighty works of her son, of the vigils of the shepherds – to the angel who tells of the mighty works of her son, [let there be] glory and joy.

Maiden, by devout prayer relying on thy offices, O queen of heaven – maiden, by devout prayer relying on thy offices, O queen of heaven, bring us to the realms above. Translation: Lawrence Rosenwald

Ecce quod natura mutat sua jura: virgo parit pura dei filium.

Ecce, novum gaudium, ecce novum mirum: virgo parit filium, que non novit virum; que non novit virum, sed ut pirus pirum, gleba fert sphirum, rosa lilium.

Mundum deus flebilem videns in ruina, florem delectabilem produxit de spina; produxit de spina virgo que regina, mundi medicina, salus gencium.

Nequivit divinitas plus humiliari, nec nostra fragilitas magis exaltari; magis exaltari quam celo locari, deo coequari per conjugium

Behold, nature changes her law: a pure virgin bears God’s son.

Behold, a new joy, behold, new wonder: a virgin bears a son without knowing man; without knowing man, but as the pear tree bears a pear, the earth creates a sapphire and the rose a lily.

This doleful world God saw in ruins, so a delectable rose he produced from the thorn; he produced from the thorn a virgin queen, a healing for the world and the salvation of its people.

Divinity could not be more humbled, nor could our fragility be more exalted; more exalted than to be placed in heaven, equal with God, through this union. Translation: Lawrence Rosenwald

Now may we syngen as it is quod puer natus est nobis.

This babe to us that now is bore Wundyrful werkys he hath y wrowt He wil not lese that was y lore

Now may we sing as it is: for unto us a child is born

This baby, who has been born for us, has done miraculous deeds; he will not forsake those who are lost,

but boldly a3en it bowth And thus it is ffor sothe y wys He asketh nouth but that is hys.

Hys raunsum for us hath y paid Of resoun than we owyn to ben hys Be mercy asked and he be prayd We may be rith kalange blys. And thus it is . . .

Almythy god in trynyte Thy mercy we pray with hool herte Thy mercy may all woo make fle And daungerous dreed fro us do sterte. And thus it is . . .

but will boldly redeem them. And thus it is, certainly: he asks for nothing but what is his.

The ransom for us has been paid, and for this reason, we are in his debt. By asking mercy and by praying to him we may claim heavenly bliss as our due. And thus it is . . .

Almighty God in Trinity, we pray for your mercy wholeheartedly. Your mercy will dispel all affliction and keep from us the most perilous danger. And thus it is . . . Translation: Marsha Genensky

O ceteris preamabilis virgo singularis, que mater inviolabilis casta deum paris. Quamplurium prelaudabilis mater salvatoris, tu mulier admirabilis, parens expers paris. O mater incomparabilis, de qua generatur rex christus insuperabilis, homo quo salvatur. Eva fit vero dampnabilis, in morte probatur per te, virgo venerabilis, saluti donatur. Heu, nostra statura fragilis iterum fedatur, heu, ad mala declinabilis ruinam miratur. Hinc, virgo, per te culpabilis zelo corrigatur tandemque cum nato stabilis celo statuatur.

O matchless virgin, more worthy of love than all others, who, a chaste, inviolable mother, gives birth to God; O mother of the saviour, most praiseworthy of all, thou wonderful woman, parent without equal. O mother without compare, from whom springs Christ, the invincible king, by whom man is saved. Eve, to be sure, is condemned and tested in death; through thee, venerable virgin, she is granted salvation. Alas, our fragile stature is again disgraced; alas, deflected to evil, finds itself face to face with its downfall. Hence, may the guilty be reformed through thee with zeal, and may he at last be placed secure in heaven with the son. Translation: E. H. Sanders

Trath chuala Herod bhí laige’s gruaim air go rugadh an Rí a bhéarfadh bua air, in onóir, in uaisleacht, i gcumhacht’s i méadacht, do líon lán-channcar fuatha’s éad’ é. ’S nach trua sin! Ba ghearr go dtáinig an t-aingeal ’na dhéidh sin agus labhair go modhail leis an fhaoileann déid-ghil: “O! caithfidh sibh teicheadh le céile go hÉigipt nó is gairid go gcluinidh sibh feall is éigeart.” ’S nach trua sin! D’imigh an Triúr ar shiúl na hoíche- an Naomh, an Mhaighdean agus Rí na Ríthe; gan charaid, gan stór, gan ór, gan éadail ach Rí na bhFlaitheasgeal, an Leanbhán Gléigeal. ’S nach trua sin!

As soon as Herod heard that the King was born who would outdo him in honor, nobility, and power, he became weak and despondent; a cancerous hatred and jealousy filled his heart. Isn’t that pitiful! The angel came soon afterwards and spoke mildly to the sweet-mouthed maiden: “Oh! you must flee together to Egypt, or ’tis soon that you’ll hear of treachery and injustice.” Isn’t that pitiful! The Three walked through the night: the Saint, the Virgin, and the King of Kings; no friend, no provisions, no money...nothing, only the King of Heavens, the Radiant Child. Isn’t that pitiful! Translation: Una McGillicuddy

Salve virgo virginum parens genitoris, salve lumen luminum, radius splendoris. Salve flos convallium stilla veri roris; nostra spes in te. Salve virgo regia porta salutaris, veri viri nescia, quia deum paris.

Hail, virgin of virgins, mother of the Father, hail, light of lights, ray of brightness. Hail, lily of the valley, drop of the true dew; our hope is in thee. Hail, royal virgin, portal of salvation, not knowing any real man; because it is God thou bringest into

Ave quia deica prole fecundaris; nostra spes in te. Ave nostre spei finis et salutis, ave per quam rei letantur cum tutis. Ave speciei decus et salutis; nostra spes in te

the world. Hail, because thou art made fruitful with the divine offspring; our hope is in thee. Hail, goal of our hope and salvation; hail to thee, through whom the guilty and the saved rejoice together. Hail, ornament of beauty and wholesomeness; our hope is in thee. Translation: E. H. Sanders

Hymn: Intonent hodie Intonent hodie voces ecclesie. Dies letitie refulsit in mundo ergo letabundo corde jubilemo et ore jucundo. Sanctus hic inclitus domino subditus in cunis positus; ubera vitabat, corpus macerabat et ter in sabbato puer jejunabat. Parenti misero submerso puero mari pestifero dedit quod petivit, preces exaudivit, submersum puerum patris custodivit. Tribus virginibus victu carentibus [auri egentibus] reddidit honorem, subtraxit errorem reddens virginibus virgineum florem.

Let the voices of the church sing out today. Thus this joyful day shone forth in a rejoicing world with a jubilant heart and merry mouth. This famous saint, the lord’s subject, was placed in a cradle; he avoided the breast, denied his flesh, and thrice on Saturday the little boy fasted. To the wretched parent, his boy drowned in the dangerous sea he granted what was asked; he heard his prayers, and gave the drowned boy back to his father. To the three virgins lacking food and needing money he restored honor, saving them from error, giving back to the maidens the flower of virginity. Translation: S. Hellauer

Gaudens in domino in hoc sollempnio letetur omnium turba fidelium, hymnis et organis ad laudem presulis, cuius miracula canit ecclesia. Qui ab infantia divina gratia servivit domino devoto animo. Et tu progredere o lector incipe, in primo carmine dic iube domine.

Praising the lord on this holy day, let the throng of all the faithful rejoice with hymns and organs, in praise of the bishop whose miracles the church sings; who from his infancy, by divine grace, served the lord with a devoted heart. And thus, o reader, step forward and begin, and with your first notes, say: “Command, o lord.” Translation: S. Hellauer and M. Smith

Sainte Nicholaes, Godes druth, tymbre us faiere scoone hus. At thi burth, at thi bare, Sainte Nicholaes, bring us wel thare.

Saint Nicholas, God’s beloved, graciously make beautiful dwelling places for us. Through your birth, through your bier, Saint Nicholas, bring us safely there.

Nicholai presulis festum celebremus concrepando modulis letitie sonemus. Versibus almisonis diem decoremus vocibus altisonis intenti festinemus. In tanto natalitio patrum docet traditio ut consonet in gaudio fidelium devotio, est ergo superstitio vacare a tripudio.

Let us celebrate the feast of bishop Nicholas, singing happy melodies together. With sweet songs we’ll ornament this day, letting our voices soar high and quick. On such a natal feast, our ancestors’ tradition teaches that the devotion of the faithful should harmonize in joy, so let fear give way to dancing.

Nunc igitur iustorum suavitas cantorum per tymphanum et chorum et omne musicorum genus instrumentorum psallat deo deorum.

Now, therefore let the sweet songs of the just – with drums and chorus and every kind of musical instruments – sing to the God of gods. Translation: S. Hellauer and M. Smith

Can wassel (Wassail song) Nadelek yū gyllys ha’n bledhen noweth ow-tōs Ygereugh darrajow h’aberveth gwren dōs. Gans agan Wassel Wassel, Wassel, Wassel, Lowena dh’agan jolyf Wassel. Nŷ a wayt agas avallenow bōs spēdys dhe dhōn Drŷ newodhow mōs arta omma pan ōn Gans agan Wassel... Nŷ a wayt agas barlys bōs spēdys yn tēk Ma ’gas bo lanwes gans helder mar plēk. Gans agan Wassel... A vēstres ha mēster, fatel yllough hepcor Orth lenwel agan cogen a sŷder ha cor’. Gans agan Wassel... Bennath warnough lemmyn ha bewnans fest hŷr Aban veugh mar güf h’agas helsys mar vür. Gans agan Wassel...

Christmas is gone and the New Year is coming, Open the doors and in we shall come. With our jolly wassail, Wassail, wassail, wassail, Joy to our jolly wassail. We hope your apple trees will bear plenty of fruit, And bring good news when we visit again. With our jolly wassail... We hope that your barley will prosper greatly, So that you’ll have plenty, and more if you please. With our jolly wassail... O mistress and master, how can you refrain from filling our bowl with cider and beer. With our jolly wassail... A blessing on you now, and a very long life, since you’ve been so kind, and your generosity so great. With our jolly wassail... Translation: Alexei Kondratiev