O Heiland Reiss Die Himmel Auf (“The heavens, Savior, open tear”)
German text based on Isaias by Fr. Father Friedrich Spee von Langenfeld, SJ (d. 1635); English translation by Fr. Dominic Popplewell. Tune: “O Heiland Reiss” • 88 88 (LM)
Instantis Adventum Dei (“The coming of our God”)
Translation: Fr. Charles Coffin Tune: “Seán 8M” • 66 86 (SM) A “text only version” is included at page bottom, providing melodic flexibility.
Corde Natus Ex Parentis (“Of the Father’s love begotten”) Aurelius Prudentius, Christian Poet
Translation: Cento by the editors Tune: “Divinum Mysterium” • 87 87 87 R
“God Rest You Merry, Gentlemen” The meaning of “God rest you merry” is “God keep you merry.” Note the archaic use of the word rest (“keep”)—indeed, this carol probably dates from the 16th century. Tune: “God Rest You Merry” • 86 86 86 R