Unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, whose government is upon his shoulders; and his name shall be called the angel of great council. Isaiah 9:6 ( verse) – Sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvelous deeds. Ps. 97:1

These prophetic words become joyous reality for us Christmas Day.  This jubilant chant is the Introit for the Mass of the Day, and is used for the entire week of the 25th!  Many illuminated manuscripts, such as the one below, depict the manger scene, enclosed in a beautifully decorated “P” for  the first word,Puer.

The Introit begins with the triumphal leap of an open fifth, again repeated at the second phrase. The climax of the chant occurs on the word “imperium” which is “reign” or “government”. In these troubling times, the eternal truth and reality of this ancient text, so beautifully expressed with the Gregorian melody, gives us hope and joy.