By the Manger at Christmas

"Open wide your door to the One who comes. Open your soul, throw open the depths of your heart to see the riches of simplicity, the treasures of peace, the sweetness of grace. Open your heart and run to meet the Sun of eternal light that illuminates all men." ~St. Ambrose of Milan

When the world is far from God and tries to silence Him, the tender cries of the Infant God call out ceaselessly to mankind, to encourage us all to approach His manger.

This album offers fresh meditations on the beauty and wonder of Christmas, featuring 15 traditional hymns and carols in English, Latin, French, Polish, German, and Italian. It reaches throughout the ages to these European cultures that have welcomed the Christ Child, and have found the warmth and the love of Christ.

Take a step back into a time of simple devotion, when the faithful prepared their souls for Jesus' coming during Advent with hymns such as Alma Redemptoris Mater; when you could hear Tu Scendi Dalle Stelle sung in the little villages of Italy; when the snow-covered hills of Poland echoed with Dzisiaj w Betlejem; and when Still, Still, Still, filled the simple chapels of the German countryside. Look back to Midnight Mass where the faithful gathered in awe, and bowed their heads to the majesty of God while singing Tollite Hostias, and bent their knees on that holy night.

Love and devotion live on in their songs, even to this day, and these hymns and carols are a glimpse into the heartwarming welcome that we give Him here at the monastery each Christmas. We hope that you too will open your heart and come to the manger of the Little Infant Jesus to find Him and the peace and love that He brings.

Hymns and Carols by the Slaves of the Immaculate Heart of Mary

CD playing time 44 minutes.

1. Bring a Torch, Jeanette, Isabella
2. Alma Redemptoris Mater (Palestrina)
3. Maria Walks Amid the Thorn
4. In a Manger
5. Gaudete
6. Dominus Dixit
7. O Holy Night
8. Come to the Manger
9. O Little One Sweet
10. Tu Scendi Dalle Stelle
11. Lullaby Jesus
12. Alma Redemptoris Mater (Solemn Gregorian Chant)
13. Still, Still, Still
14. Far in a Manger
15. Tollite Hostias