Merry Christmas!

During the twelve days of Christmas, I will be sharing some of my favorite Christmas songs, performed by various contemporary artists, here on the blog. I hope that you too will be willing to share links to some of your favorites in the comments.

To get us started, we have the classic Minuit, Chrétiens, performed by Tino Rossi. This French hymn was the inspiration for O Holy Night, the English version (with very different lyrics).

We usually attend the midnight Mass at our parish where in the French Canadian tradition, our pastor sings this beautiful hymn in both French and English. We’re traveling this year, so I will miss hearing this song in my home parish, but we can enjoy it here together:

Here are the lyrics (with the English translation):

Minuit, Chrétiens

Minuit, chrétiens, c’est l’heure solennelle,
Où l’Homme-Dieu descendit jusqu’à nous
Pour effacer la tache originelle

Midnight, Christians, it’s the solemn hour,
When God-man descended to us
To erase the stain of original sin

Et de Son Père arrêter le courroux.
Le monde entier tressaille d’espérance
En cette nuit qui lui donne un Sauveur.

And to end the wrath of His Father.
The entire world thrills with hope
On this night that gives it a Savior.

Peuple à genoux, attends ta délivrance.
Noël, Noël, voici le Rédempteur,
Noël, Noël, voici le Rédempteur !

People kneel down, wait for your deliverance.
Christmas, Christmas, here is the Redeemer,
Christmas, Christmas, here is the Redeemer!

Le Rédempteur a brisé toute entrave :
La terre est libre, et le ciel est ouvert.
Il voit un frère où n’était qu’un esclave,

The Redeemer has overcome every obstacle:
The Earth is free, and Heaven is open.
He sees a brother where there was only a slave,

L’amour unit ceux qu’enchaînait le fer.
Qui Lui dira notre reconnaissance,
C’est pour nous tous qu’Il naît,
Qu’Il souffre et meurt.

Love unites those that iron had chained.
Who will tell Him of our gratitude,
It’s for all of us that He is born,
That He suffers and dies.

Peuple debout ! Chante ta délivrance,
Noël, Noël, chantons le Rédempteur,
Noël, Noël, chantons le Rédempteur !

People stand up! Sing of your deliverance,
Christmas, Christmas, sing of the Redeemer,
Christmas, Christmas, sing of the Redeemer!