Christmas Proclamation

A formal "Proclamation of the Birth of Christ" is traditionally chanted or recited near the beginning of the Christmas Midnight Mass and/or during the Liturgy of the Hours on Christmas Eve. The text, which comes from the "Roman Martyrology" for December 24, situates the birth of Jesus Christ within the context of salvation history. It begins with the creation of the world, mentions certain key events in the history of the people of Israel, and concludes with the birth of Jesus during the Roman Era. (From Fr. Felix Just)

Here are several versions of the Christmas Proclamation. Each column is a separate translation. Each row is a separate musical setting.

There are two main tones for the Christmas Proclamation found in the Laudes Festivae (1940):

Modus Ordinarius p. 27 (Simple Tone)

Modus Solemnior p. 29 (Solemn Tone)

There is also what appears to be a modified version of the solemn tone that the Vatican uses.

Below are recordings of some of these versions.

Other English Translation (Simple Tone)