Sing We Now of Christmas is a jubilant English-language version of the French carol “Noël Nouvelet,” whose origins date to the 15th century. The melody’s bright, dance-like character reflects the medieval tradition of celebrating the Nativity with communal song (wassailing door-to-door, wishing people well with spiced drinks), creating a joyful community-building practice of sharing music and cheer in the deep midwinter.

Jan Pieterszoon Sweelinck (1562-1621) stands at the crossroads of the Renaissance and early Baroque eras and is widely regarded as the most influential Dutch composer of his time. Hodie Christus natus est is a festive Latin motet setting of a traditional Christmas text. It joyfully proclaims the birth of Christ and the rejoicing of angels, shepherds, and the righteous:

Today Christ is born.
Today the Savior appears.
Today angels sing to the earth,
Archangels rejoice.
Today the just rejoice, saying:
Gloria in the highest to God,
And on earth, peace to people of goodwill.
Alleluia.

Maria durch ein Dornwald ging is a traditional German Advent carol whose text dates to the late Middle Ages. The song tells of Mary’s journey while pregnant with Jesus through a barren thorn forest, which miraculously blooms as she passes—an image rich with symbolism of hope, renewal, and the fulfillment of prophecy. The “rose” that flowers in the thorny wilderness has long been understood as a metaphor for Christ’s birth, bringing life and grace into a fallen world.

Mary wandered through a wood of thorns
Lord, have mercy.
Mary wandered through a wood of thorns,
Which was leafless for seven years.
Jesus and Mary.

Who did Mary bear beneath her bosom?
A little babe without pain,
Whom Mary bore beneath her bosom.
Jesus and Mary.

The thorns had roses there,
As the babe was carried through the woods,
There were roses with thorns on them.
Jesus and Mary.