Hodie Christus natus est

Natività by Giotto – Cappella degli Scrovegni

Hodie Christus natus est (English Today Christ is born) is the Antiphon to the Magnificat, sung on the vespers on Christmas Day.

Musical settings at CPDL

• William Byrd
• Giovanni Paolo Cima
• Giovanni Gabrieli
  • à 10 (SSAAT + ATTBB)
  • à 8 (SATB + SATB)
• Adam Gumpelzhaimer
• Luca Marenzio
• Giovanni Maria Nanino
• Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina
  • a 4 (SATB or TTBB)
  • a 8 (SSAATTBB)
• Heinrich Schütz
• Joseph G. Stephens
• Jan Pieters Sweelinck
• Tullio Visioli

Text and translations

Latin text

Hodie Christus natus est:
Hodie Salvator apparuit:
Hodie in terra canunt Angeli,
laetantur Archangeli
Hodie exsultant justi, dicentes:
Gloria in excelsis Deo.
Alleluia.

English translation English translation by Allen H Simon; correction to the 7th line by James A Diamond

Today Christ is born:
Today the Savior appeared:
Today on Earth the Angels sing,
Archangels rejoice:
Today the righteous rejoice, saying:
Glory to God in the highest.
Alleluia.