On coming to the house, they saw the child with His mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped Him. Then they opened their treasures and presented Him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. Matthew 2:11
When you read the Latin Christus natus hodie it means “today Christ is born” or “today the Savior has appeared” and when you read the Latin Ex Maria virgine it means “from the Virgin Mary.”
Christ was born on Christmas Day,
Wreathe the holly, twine the bay;
Christus natus hodie
The Babe, the Son,
The Holy One of Mary.
He is born to set us free,
He is born our Lord to be,
Ex Maria virgine:
The God, the Lord,
By all adored forever.
Let the bright red berries glow
Everywhere in goodly show;
Christus natus hodie:
The Babe, the Son,
The Holy One of Mary.
Christian men, rejoice and sing;
‘Tis the birthday of a king,
Ex Maria virgine:
The God, the Lord,
By all adored forever.
Night of sadness, morn of gladness
Evermore, ever, ever:
After many troubles sore,
Morn of gladness evermore and evermore.
Midnight scarcely passed and over,
Drawing to this holy morn,
Very early, very early
Christ was born.
Sing out with bliss, His name is this;
Emmanuel:
As was foretold in days of old
By Gabriel.
Midnight scarcely passed and over,
Drawing to this holy morn,
Very early, very early,
Christ was born.
“Resonet in laudibus” (“Let the voice of praise resound”) translated from 14th Century German into English by J.M. Neale as “Christ was born on Christmas Day”. This marks #6 of the 8 oldest Christmas carols.
This ancient carol brings into view the tradition of decorating “in goodly show” with a wreath and red berries. The wreath signified the unending love and life found in Jesus Christ. And the red, of course, points to His blood which washes us from our sins.
As you approach the time of giving gifts like Jesus received gifts on that first Christmas, as people say “Merry Christmas” to you, perhaps reply “Happy Birthday” like Frosty the Snowman to get their attention (click here to see it).
As this ancient song proclaims, “Christmas is the birthday of a King.” And not just any king. “the God, the Lord, who is to be adored forever.” Don’t forget to acknowledge Christmas as the birthday of Jesus!
And you will never hear me say “Merry Christmas” as “merry” as the Greek word in texts like Luke 12:19-20 associates with selfish and licentious living. I say Happy or Blessed Christmas, using the word that appears in the Beatitudes (Matthew 5:12).
Join me Happy Birthday Jesus! Happy Christmas to all.