Musical Advent Calendar - Day 20

Each day, from December 1 to December 25, I will post the text (and translation, if necessary) of an Advent- or Christmas-themed song, along with the URL for a YouTube video containing that song. (Select "Musical Advent Calendar" from the list of labels in the right sidebar to sort all of them out from the other posts on the blog.) You will note that each selection has a text, collectively representing the last 2000 years, and this is intentional. For the more familiar texts (such as popular Christmas carols), I have chosen a variety of interpretations and performers, from professional choirs to contemporary Christian worship leaders. I suggest that you follow the text as the music plays, and reflect on the words that proclaim the First Advent of our Savior, the Lord Jesus.

May our King, who promises to come again, reveal himself to you in a new way this Advent.

DECEMBER 20

O Nata Lux

Text is a tenth century hymn

Setting by Thomas Tallis (1575)

Performed by the Choir of Trinity College, Cambridge

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D8a-LYXVLnQ

O nata lux de lumine,

Jesu redemptor saeculi,

Dignare clemens supplicum

Laudes precesque sumere.

O Light born of Light,

Jesus, redeemer of the world,

with loving-kindness deign to receive

suppliant praise and prayer.

Qui carne quondam contegi

Dignatus es pro perditis,

Nos membra confer effici

Tui beati corporis

Thou who once deigned to be clothed in flesh

For the sake of the lost,

grant us to be members

of thy blessed body.