Voices Found: Christmas II C, Angels and Herods, VF 36, 4

Voices Found #36

O mundi domina, regio semine orta:

ex tuo jam Christus processit alvo,

tamquam sponsus dethalamo;

hic iacet in praesepio, qui et sidera regit.

O guardian of the world, descended from royal seed:

from your womb Christ has come forth,

like the bridegroom from the bridal bed;

he lies in the crib, who rules the stars.

Words and Music: Magyar Gregprianum, Posony Antiphoner, 15th c.

tr. Susan Hellauer, rev. Lisa Neufeld Thomas 

                                             A medieval Magyar manuscript, Eszertom, Hungary, ca. 15th c. 

O mundi domina, an ancient Magyar chant is sung during the Christmas Eve liturgy.  While the melody  appears in other European manuscripts, this text is found only in Hungary.  It emphasizes Mary's love and care for the world, complementing Christ's rule of the stars.  The Latin word domina can  be translated as "guardian."  Mary is often thought of as the new Eve, bringing redemption to the world.  We may also  think of her as the nurturing guardian, who nursed and safeguarded the Christ child when Herod slaughtered the innocents

Isaiah 66:10-13 is appointed for Christmas II in the Women's Lectionary for the Whole Church Year C.

Rejoice with Jerusalem, and celebrate with her

all you who love her;

rejoice with her in joy,

all you who mourn deeply over her;

in order that you all may nurse and be satisfied

from her comforting breast.

For says the Holy One of Old:

Watch! I will extend to her flourishing like a river,

and the wealth of nations like an overflowing stream;

and you all shall nurse and be carried on her arm,

and you all shall be bounced on her knees.

As a mother comforts her child,

so will I comfort you all;

you all shall be comforted in Jerusalem.

tr. Gafney

After hearing the joyful angel chorus, the shepherds said,"Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to be, which the Sovereign God has made known to us."  They told Mary and Joseph what they heard.  Mary preserved all these words and pondered them in her heart." 

 Luke 2: 15, 19. tr. Gafney

Reflection:

Mary heard the shepherd's story,

words she treasured with delight.

Then an angel gave the warning:

"Flee with Jesus in the night!"

Mary wondered in her anguish,

what would be the pain he'd know?

Fleeing then, she held him closely.

One day she would let him go.

Voices Found #4

Words: Carolyn Winfrey Gillette

Angels rejoiced in birth and  warned of death.  Gillette's poignant text reminds us that, as we rejoice with shepherds in the Incarnation, Herod  threatened slaughter of the innocents. Mary and Joseph had to protect the Christ-child immediately.   They had to flee terror. 

A Meditation from Hildegard of Bingen

Of the Innocents:

Responsory for the Holy Innocents [Dec. 28] (D 166v-167r, R 472rb)Back to Table of Contents
by Hildegard of Bingen

R. Rex noster promptus est suscipere sanguinem innocentum. Unde angeli concinunt et in laudibus sonant. R. Sed nubes super eundem sanguinem plangunt. V. Tirannus autem in gravi somno mortis propter maliciam suam suffocatus est. R. Sed nubes super eundem sanguinem plangunt. Gloria Patri et Filio et Spiritui sancto. R. Sed nubes super eundem sanguinem plangunt.

R. Our King is swift and ready to receive the blood of innocents. So sing the angels and with praise resound. R. But yet—the clouds this blood bewail. V. That tyrant still was choked by death’s oppressive sleep in punishment of his grave wickedness. R. But yet—the clouds this blood bewail. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. R. But yet—the clouds this blood bewail.

Latin collated from the transcription of Beverly Lomer and the edition of Barbara Newman; translation by Nathaniel M. Campbell.

Prayer

Mothering God, thank you for Mary's strength and mercy; the Mother who guided and guarded the Redeemer.  Help us now, like Mary,  to guard, guide and love all your children living with the terror of war, slaughter, and famine in our own time. Show us the way to walk in Love.

In the name of Christ, Amen