Advent Reflection 07 December

In Dulce Jubilo

 

Pause for a moment

 

What can you say in a different language?

 

Listen to the music

In dulci jubilo [In quiet joy]
Let us our homage show
Our heart’s joy reclineth
In praesepio [in a manger]
And like a bright star shineth
Matris in gremio [in the mother's lap]
Alpha es et O. [Thou art Alpha & Omega]

 

O Jesu parvule, [O tiny Jesus]
My heart is sore for Thee!
Hear me, I beseech Thee,
O puer optime; [O best of boys]
My prayer let it reach Thee,
O princeps gloriae. [Prince of glory]
Trahe me post te. [draw me unto thee]

O patris caritas! [O father's caring]
O Nati lenitas! [O newborn's mildness]
Deeply were we stained.
Per nostra crimina: [by our crimes]
But Thou hast for us gained
Coelorum gaudia, [heavenly joy]
O that we were there!

 

 

Ubi sunt gaudia [where be joys]
If that they be not there
There are angels singing
Nova cantina [new songs]
There the bells are ringing
In regis curia [at the king's court]
O that we were there!

 

Learn about the carol

 

In dulci jubilo ("In sweet rejoicing") is thought to have been written by the German mystic Heinrich Seuse circa 1328. According to folklore, Seuse heard angels sing these words and joined them in a dance of worship.  The tune may have been a folk tune that was widely known around that time. If it wasn’t the original tune set, it would certainly have been known then.

A 2008 survey by BBC Music Magazine found this to be the second most popular choral Christmas carol with British cathedral organists and choirmasters.

Subsequent translations into English, such as J.M. Neale's arrangement "Good Christian Men, Rejoice" have increased its popularity, and J.S. Bach's chorale prelude based on the tune is a traditional postlude for Christmas services.

 

Time for reflection

 

Sometimes we forget to laugh! Especially at times like this. We can have our heads so bowed down by the pressures and demands placed on us that we forget to look at the skies. We can be so focussed on what we can’t do that we forget to enjoy what we can do. We can be so concerned about tomorrow that we forget to live today.

I love the picture of a medieval mystic dancing with the angels – and writing these words to be sung to a folk dance of the day. The pure joy should remind us that we live in hope of heaven.

 

Time for Action

 

Here’s a quote to try out……

Dance like no one is watching, Live like you’ll never be hurt
Sing like no one is listening Live like it’s heaven on earth.