Link to Music

Merry Christmas! Today we learn one of the most popular medieval Christmas hymns: Puer Natus in Bethlehem. Let's all raise our voices to praise God for the Incarnation!

A child is born in Bethlehem,

Exult for joy, Jerusalem!

Allelujah.

With an exultant heart,

let us adore the new-born Christ,

with a new song.

The Son of God the Father,

In the highest has taken flesh,

Allelujah.

By angel Gabriel announced,

The virgin has conceived the Son.

Allelujah.

Like a bridegroom from the chamber,

He proceeds from the womb of the mother.

Allelujah.

Lo he who reigns above the skies,

There in a manger lowly, lies.

Allelujah.

The ox and ass in neighb'ring stall,

See in that child the Lord of all.

Allelujah.

And kingly pilgrims, long foretold,

From East bring incense, myrrh and gold,

Allelujah.

And enter with their offerings,

To hail the newborn King of Kings.

Allelujah.

He comes, a maiden mother's Son,

Yet earthly father has He none;

Allelujah.

And from the serpent's poison free,

He owned our blood and pedigree,

Allelujah.

Our feeble flesh and His the same,

Our sinless kinsman He became,

Allelujah.

That we, from deadly thrall set free,

Like Him, and so like God, should be.

Allelujah.

Come then, and on his natal day,

Rejoice before the Lord and pray.

Allelujah.

And to the holy One in Three.

Give praise and thanks eternally.

Allelujah.