Friday, December 15, 2006

"The Office"... Hymns, that is.


One of the joys of my retreat this past weekend was my rediscovery of the Latin Office hymns for Advent. They sound REALLY COOL in Latin. But, since I am neither proficient in Latin like my friend Antony H., nor good at music as well as posting music on a blog, I'll have to settle for sharing the words alone, in translation.




Creator of the stars of night,

Your people's everlasting light,

O Christ, Redeemer of us all,

We pray you hear us when we call.


In sorrow that the ancient curse

Should doom to death a universe,

You came, O Savior, to set free

Your own in glorious liberty.


When this old world drew on toward night,

You came; but not in splendor bright,

Not as a monarch, but the child

Of Mary, blameless mother mild.


At your great Name, O Jesus, now

All knees must bend, all hearts must bow;

All things on earth with one accord,

Like those in heaven, shall call you Lord.


Come in your holy might, we pray,

Redeem us for eternal day;

Defend us while we dwell below

From all assaults of our dread foe.


To God the Father, God the Son,

And God the Spirit, Three in One,

Praise, honor, might, and glory be

From age to age eternally.


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