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Corpus Christi Watershed

Pope Saint Paul VI (3 April 1969): “Although the text of the Roman Gradual—at least that which concerns the singing—has not been changed, the Entrance antiphons and Communions antiphons have been revised for Masses without singing.”

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Views from the Choir Loft

[español] ‘Twas in the Moon of Wintertime

Veronica Moreno · December 26, 2014

Una traducción del texto de Fr. David Friel del 26 de diciembre 2014
ÉRASE UNA LUNA DE INVIERNO
para nuestros lectores hispanohablantes.

IENTRAS CONTINUAMOS nuestra celebración del Nacimiento de nuestro Señor, aquí hay un hermoso villancico escrito por uno de nuestros patrones de CCW, San Juan de Brébeuf. Escribió el original en Wyandot (la lengua indígena Huron) como medio de evangelización.

En el himno, el padre de Brébeuf utiliza conceptos tradicionales de la religión Huron para transmitir la historia del Nacimiento de Cristo. Esta es “inculturación” en su sentido más verdadero y más saludable. Haga clic aquí para obtener una historia más completa de este villancico.

El autor fue un hombre valiente muy digno de nuestra emulación, y este es un hermoso poema muy digno de nuestra reflexión”.

Érase una luna de invierno,
ya huídos todos los pájaros,
que el poderoso Gitchi Manitou
envió coros de ángeles en su lugar;
en su luz, las estrellas se apagaron,
y los cazadores curiosos oyeron el himno:

R./ Jesús, tu Rey ha nacido,
Jesús ha nacido,
en excelsis gloria.

En una choza de leña rota
se encontró el tierno Niño,
un ropaje raído de piel de conejo
envuelve su entera belleza.
Pero a medida que se acercaban los valientes cazadores,
el canto del ángel sonó alto y fuerte: R./

La primera luna del invierno
no es tan redonda y hermosa
como era el anillo de gloria en
el indefenso Infante allí.
Los jefes de lejos se arrodillaron ante Él
con regalos de piel de zorro y castor.R./

Oh, hijos de la selva libre,
el canto de los ángeles es verdadero.
El Santo Niño de la Tierra y el Cielo
ha nacido hoy para ti.
Ven a arrodillarte ante el radiante Niño,
que te trae belleza, paz y alegría. R./

St. Jean de Brébeuf, c. 1643
(traducción de ccwatershed del la traducción de by J. Edgar Middleton, 1926, alt.)

¡Deseándoles a nuestros lectores mucha alegría a medida que continuamos dando la bienvenida a la Presencia de Cristo entre nosotros!

Opinions by blog authors do not necessarily represent the views of Corpus Christi Watershed.

Filed Under: Articles Tagged With: CCWatershed en Español, spanish Last Updated: December 23, 2022

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About Veronica Moreno

Veronica Moreno is married to a teacher and homeschools five children. She has been cantor at her local Catholic parish for over a decade.—(Read full biography).

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President’s Corner

    PDF • “Music List” (Sunday, 28 December)
    Readers have expressed interest in perusing the ORDER OF MUSIC I’ve prepared for Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, & Joseph (28 Dec. 2025). If such a thing interests you, feel free to download it as a PDF file. The FAUXBOURDON verses for the Communion Antiphon are particularly gorgeous. As always, the Responsorial Psalm, Gospel Acclamation, and Mass Propers for this Sunday are available at the feasts website alongside the official texts in Latin.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    PDF • “Music List” (Xmas Midnight Mass)
    Readers have expressed interest in perusing the ORDER OF MUSIC I’ve prepared for Christmas Midnight Mass (“Ad Missam In Nocte”). If such a thing interests you, feel free to download it as a PDF file. The ENTRANCE CHANT is simple, but quite beautiful. As always, the Responsorial Psalm, Gospel Acclamation, and Mass Propers for this Sunday are available at the feasts website alongside the official texts in Latin.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    PDF • “Music List” (4th Sunday of Advent)
    Readers have expressed interest in perusing the ORDER OF MUSIC I’ve prepared for 21 December 2025, which is the 4th Sunday of Advent (Year A). If such a thing interests you, feel free to download it as a PDF file. The ENTRANCE CHANT is the famous “Roráte Coeli” and the fauxbourdon setting of the COMMUNION is exquisite. As always, the Responsorial Psalm, Gospel Acclamation, and Mass Propers for this Sunday are available at the feasts website alongside the official texts in Latin.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Quick Thoughts

    What does this mean? “Pre-Urbanite”
    One of the things informed critics have frequently praised vis-à-vis the Saint Jean de Brébeuf Hymnal has to do with its careful treatment of the ancient hymns vs. the “Urbanite” hymns. This topic I had believed to be fairly well understood—but I was wrong. The reason I thought people knew about it is simple; in the EDITIO VATICANA 1908 Graduale Romanum (as well as the 1913 Liber Antiphonarius) both versions are provided, right next to each other. You can see what I mean by examining this PDF file from the Roman Gradual of 1908. Most people still don’t understand that the Urbanite versions were never adopted by any priests or monks who sang the Divine Office each day. Switching would have required a massive amount of effort and money, because all the books would need to be changed.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    PDF Download • “Santo Santo Santo”
    Those searching for a dignified, brief, simple, bright setting of SANCTUS in Spanish (“Santo Santo Santo”) are invited to download this Setting in honor of Saint John Brébeuf (organist & vocalist). I wonder if there would be any interest in me recording a rehearsal video for this piece.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Pope Leo XIV on Sacred Music
    On 5 December 2025, Pope Leo XIV made this declaration with regard to liturgical music.
    —Corpus Christi Watershed

Random Quote

Jeffrey Tucker: “What are your thoughts on what passes for sacred music in most Catholic parishes today?” Richard Morris: “There’s nothing sacred about it. The tunes, rhythms, and messages are drawn mainly from secular culture. When it isn’t aesthetically repugnant and downright offensive to the Faith, it is utterly forgettable.”

— James Richard Morris (concert organist)

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  • PDF • “Music List” (Xmas Midnight Mass)
  • What does this mean? “Pre-Urbanite”

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