Merry Christmas, brothers and sisters from all over the world! May the love of God, the grace of Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with all of you.
As an Italian, I want to share with you a famous Italian Christmas song by Saint Alphonsus Maria de’ Liguori, Tu scendi dalle stelle (“You come down from the stars”), one of my favourites. Enjoy!
Tu scendi dalle stelle, o Re del cielo,
e vieni in una grotta al freddo e al gelo,
e vieni in una grotta al freddo e al gelo.
O Bambino mio divino
io ti vedo qui tremar;
o Dio beato!
Ahi quanto ti costò l’avermi amato!
ahi quanto ti costò l’avermi amato!
(You come down from the stars, oh, King of the Heavens,
And you come in a cave in the cold and in the frost,
And you come in a cave in the cold and in the frost.
Oh, my Divine Baby,
I see you trembling here;
Oh, Blessed God!
Ah, how much it costed you your loving me!
Ah, how much it costed you your loving me! )
A te, che sei del mondo il Creatore,
mancano panni e foco, o mio Signore,
mancano panni e foco, o mio Signore.
Caro eletto pargoletto,
quanto questa povertà
più m’innamora,
giacché ti fece amor povero ancora,
giacché ti fece amor povero ancora.
(You, who are the Creator of the world,
Lack clothes and fire, oh my Lord,
Lack clothes and fire, oh my Lord.
Dear chosen, little baby,
How much more this poverty
Makes me love You,
Since love made you more poor,
Since love made you more poor. )