7th day within the octave of Christmas
1 John 2:18-21 | Psalm 95(96):1-2,11-13 | John 1:1-18
In the beginning was the Word:
and the Word was with God
and the Word was God. (John 1:1)
It is fitting that, at the end of the year, we return metaphorically to the beginning of everything.
For tomorrow, we hope to begin anew, piling on whatever resolutions strike our fancy, most of which will fall by the wayside before long.
One of my choir’s traditions that has, alas, fallen by the wayside…is a New Year’s Eve night mass, at the end of which we would fall on our knees and sing the Te Deum, a classic hymn to the Most High. While that practice is not likely to be revived any time soon, I feel the urge to begin anew this awesome song of praise to God for everything He’s done for me over these 366 days.
Won’t you join me, brothers and sisters?
Should old traditions be forgot
When we’re drunk on sparkling wine?
Should old traditions be forgot
And God never comes to mind?
Te Deum laudamus, my dear
Te Deum laudamus
For all He’s given us this year
Te Deum laudamus
So here’s a prayer, my neighbour friend
And give a prayer of thine
We’ll praise the Saviour of our souls
Te Deum laudamus
Te Deum laudamus, my dear
Te Deum laudamus
For all He’s given us this year
Te Deum laudamus
Sorry, wrong song…
Te Deum
| Te Deum laudámus: te Dominum confitémur. | We praise You, O God; we acclaim You Lord and Master. |
| Te ætérnum Patrem omnis terra venerátur. | Everlasting Father, all the world bows down before You. |
| Tibi omnes Angeli; tibi cæli et univérsae potestátes. | All the Angels sing Your praise, the hosts of heaven and all the angelic Powers; |
| Tibi Chérubim et Séraphim incessábili voce proclámant: | All the Cherubim and Seraphim call out to You in unending chorus: |
| Sanctus, Sanctus, Sanctus, Dóminus Deus Sábaoth. | Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord God of Angel hosts! |
| Pleni sunt cæli et terra majestátis glóriæ tuæ. | The heavens and the earth are filled, Lord, with Your Majesty and glory. |
| Te gloriósus Apostolórum chorus; | Your praises are sung by the renowned Apostles; |
| Te Prophetárum laudábilis númerus; | By all the prophets, who themselves deserve our praise; |
| Te Mártyrum candidátus laudat exércitus. | By that mighty white-robed army who shed their blood for Christ. |
| Te per orbem terrárum sancta confitétur Ecclésia: | And to the ends of the earth the holy Church proclaims her faith in You: |
| Patrem imménsæ majestátis; | Father, whose Majesty is boundless; |
| Venerándum tuum verum et únicum Fílium; | Your only Son, who is true God, and who is to be adored; |
| Sanctum quoque Paráclitum Spíritum. | The Holy Spirit sent to be our Advocate. |
| Tu Rex glóriæ, Christe. | O Christ, the King of glory! |
| Tu Patris sempitérnus es Fílius. | You alone are the Father's eternal Son. |
| Tu ad liberándum susceptúrus hóminem, non horruísti Vírginis úterum. | When You were to become man so as to save mankind, You did not shrink back from the chaste Virgin's womb. |
| Tu, devícto mortis acúleo, aperuísti credéntibus regna cælórum. | When You triumphantly destroyed death's sting, You opened up to believers the kingdom of heaven. |
| Tu ad déxteram Dei sedes, in glória Patris. | You are now enthroned at God's right hand, in the Father's glory. |
| Judex créderis esse ventúrus. | We believe that You will come for judgment. |
| Te ergo quǽsumus, tuis fámulis súbveni, quos pretióso sánguine redemísti. | We therefore implore You to grant Your servants grace and aid, for You shed Your precious blood for their redemption. |
| Ætérna fac cum sanctis tuis in glória numerári. | Admit them all to the ranks of Your Saints in everlasting glory. |
| Salvum fac pópulum tuum, Dómine, et bénedic hæreditáti tuæ. | Be the Saviour of Your unfaithful people, Lord, grant them Your blessing, for they belong to You. |
| Et rege eos, et extólle illos usque in ætérnum. | Be their Shepherd, Lord, uphold them and exalt them forever and ever. |
| Per síngulos dies benedícimus te. | Day by day we praise You, daily we acclaim You. |
| Et laudámus nomen tuum in sǽculum, et in sǽculum sǽculi. | We will confess and glorify Your holy Name, now and for all eternity. |
| Dignáre, Dómine, die isto sine peccáto nos custodíre. | In Your great mercy, Lord, throughout this day keep us free from sin by Your protection. |
| Miserére nostri, Dómine, miserére nostri. | Have mercy on us we humbly pray; Lord, have mercy on us. |
| Fiat misericórdia tua, Dómine, super nos, quemádmodum sperávimus in te. | May Your mercy, Lord, Your loving kindness, always remain with us; for we have placed our confidence in You. |
| In te, Dómine, sperávi: non confúndar in ætérnum. | In You alone, Lord, I have hoped; may I not be disappointed. |