VocalEssence Ensemble Singers; Osmo Vänskä, clarinet; Rob Graham, tenor

1. TEMPUS ADEST FLORIDUM
The flowery time is here, for the flowers are coming up;
In everything they mimic the habits of spring.
Warmth restores what the cold had injured;
We see this happen through many labors.
—Translation from the Latin by Christopher Brunelle

2. PERSONENT HODIE
On this day earth shall ring
With the song children sing
To the Lord, Christ our King,
Born on earth to save us;
Him our God gave us.
Gloria in excelsis Deo!

His the doom, ours the mirth;
When he came down to earth,
Bethlehem saw his birth;
Ox and ass beside him
From the cold would hide him.
Gloria in excelsis Deo!

On this day angels sing;
With their song earth shall ring,
Praising Christ, heaven’s King,
Born on earth to save us;
Peace and love he gave us.
Gloria in excelsis Deo!
—Translation from the Latin by Jane M. Joseph

3. JESUS CHRISTUS NOSTRA SALUS
Jesus Christ our blest Redeemer
(Truth denied by proud blasphemer)
Gave his flesh in wondrous fashion
In remembrance of his passion.

O how pure this breast, and holy,
It is thou, Christ Jesus, wholly,
Sacramental bread of heaven
Here is found and to us given.

’Tis a gift, the best, the sweetest,
Pledge of love divine, completed;
Eucharist of mighty power,
Grace’s channel, heavenly dower.

Hail, thou divinity’s true form,
God united in thee, the norm;
Whoever in thee delightest,
Then the truth by faith observeth.
—John Huss, translation by Robert Leaver