Gloria in Excelsis Deo!

Here is a Christmas Card to family, friends and readers everywhere:

No room to spare in Bethlehem

Quem in civitate Bethlehem
laetando genuisti:
neque dolorem aliquem
gignendo pertulisti. Ave Maria.

In Bethlehem Whom, a Holy Seed,
     Thou didst bring forth with gladness;
In that thy wondrous labour freed
     From human pangs and sadness. Hail Mary.

The Nativity of Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. JJ Tissot. Brooklyn Museum.

Quem regis David genere
mox natum adorasti;
ac vagientem ubere
virgineo lactasti. Ave Maria.


Scion of Royal David's line,
     New-born thou didst adore Him;
Whose nurturing breast with love benign
     A wailing Infant bore Him. Hail Mary.







Quem pannis fasciis
constrictum reclinasti;
et suis obsequiis
te totam mancipasti. Ave Maria.


Whom in the manger thou didst lay,
     With swathing bands enfolding,
And Him to cherish, day by day,
     No pains or care withholding. Hail Mary.

Gloria in Excelsis Deo!

Quem magno cum tripudio
angeli laudaverunt;
pacemque cum gaudio
in terris cecinerunt. Ave Maria.

Whom brightest Angels at His birth,
     With laud and carol hailing,
Praised God; announcing Peace on earth,
     Good will and love unfailing. Hail Mary.

The adoration of the Shepherds

Quem pastorem omnium
pastores cognoverunt;
dum in praesepe Dominum
iacente invenerunt. Ave Maria.

Whom wondering shepherds as of all
     The Shepherd Prince declaring,
Yet found, a stable mean and small
     With ass and oxen sharing. Hail Mary.

If you like these words and pictures, please visit our sister website:

Rosarium Aureum.