Poem: The Flower

The Flower is a poem by George Herbert (1593–1633).  It was published posthumously in 1633 as part of his collection, The Temple. The version of The Flower included in the Poems for Advent and Christmas Appendix of the Divine Office (1974) is an abridgement of Herbert's original 7 stanza poem.

THE FLOWER by George Herbert, 1633

Who would have thought my shrivel’d heart
Could have recover’d greenness? It was gone
Quite under ground; as flowers depart
To see their mother-root, when they have blown;
Where they together
All the hard weather,
Dead to the world, keep house unknown.

These are thy wonders, Lord of power,
Killing and quickning, bringing down to hell
And up to heaven in an houre;
Making a chiming of a passing-bell,
We say amiss,
This or that is:
Thy word is all, if we could spell.

Poem: The Nativity of Christ

15th Century Painting by Petrus Christus - Wikipedia

The Nativity of Christ is a poem by the Jesuit Priest, Fr. Robert Southwell (1561-1595). Because of his efforts as a missionary loyal to the Holy See in post-Reformation England; he was tried, convicted, and hanged for high treason. In 1970, he was canonized by Pope Paul VI as one of the Forty Martyrs of England and Wales. The Nativity of Christ is included in the Poems for Advent and Christmas Appendix of the Divine Office (1974).

Setting by Christopher M. Wicks

THE NATIVITY OF CHRIST. By Robert Southwell

Behold the father is his daughter's son,
The bird that built the nest is hatch'd therein,
The old of years an hour hath not outrun,
Eternal life to live doth now begin,
The word is dumb, the mirth of heaven doth weep,
Might feeble is, and force doth faintly creep.

O dying souls! behold your living spring!
O dazzled eyes! behold your sun of grace!
Dull ears attend what word this word doth bring!
Up, heavy hearts, with joy your joy embrace!
From death, from dark, from deafness, from despairs,
This life, this light, this word, this joy repairs.

Gift better than Himself God doth not know,
Gift better than his God no man can see;
This gift doth here the giver given bestow,
Gift to this gift let each receiver be:
God is my gift, Himself He freely gave me,
God's gift am I, and none but God shall have me.

Man alter'd was by sin from man to beast;
Beast's food is hay, hay is all mortal flesh;
Now God is flesh, and lies in manger press'd,
As hay the brutest sinner to refresh:
Oh happy field wherein this fodder grew,
Whose taste doth us from beasts to men renew!

Poem: Deign at My Hands

Painting by Jose de Sarabia (1608-1699) - Courtesy of Wikipedia

Deign at My Hands is a poem by the English poet, lawyer, and Anglican Cleric, John Donne (1572-1631). It is the first poem of La Corona - a cycle of seven sonnets written in 1618 about the life of Christ. The first line of this poem ("Deign at my hands this crown of prayer and praise"), also serves as the final line of the last sonnet of the cycle. Deign at My Hands is included in the Poems for Advent and Christmas Appendix of the Divine Office (1974).


DEIGN AT MY HANDS by John Donne

Deign at my hands this crown of prayer and praise,
Weav'd in my low devout melancholy,
Thou which of good, hast, yea art treasury,
All changing unchanged Ancient of days,
But do not, with a vile crown of frail bays,
Reward my muse's white sincerity,
But what thy thorny crown gained, that give me,
A crown of Glory, which doth flower always;
The ends crown our works, but thou crown'st our ends,
For at our end begins our endlesse rest,
The first last end, now zealously possest,
With a strong sober thirst, my soul attends.
'Tis time that heart and voice be lifted high,
Salvation to all that will is nigh.

Poem: Sussex Carol (On Christmas Night All Christians Sing)

Painting by Guido Reni (1575-1642) - Courtesy of Wikipedia

Sussex Carol (On Christmas Night All Christians Sing) is an anonymous English Christmas carol. An early version was published in the 17th century by Fr. Luke Wadding O.F.M. (October 1588-1657), but it is uncertain if he was the original author or was setting down an existing folksong. None-the-less, the song remained popular in oral tradition and was collected in 1919 by the folklorist,  Cecil Sharp (1859-1924) together with the composer, Ralph Vaughan Williams (1872-1958). It is this version which is most commonly known today. Sussex Carol is included in the Poems for Advent and Christmas Appendix of the Divine Office (1974).

Arranged by Ralph Vaughan Williams

SUSSEX CAROL (Anonymous)

On Christmas night all Christians sing
To hear the news the angels bring.
News of great joy, news of great mirth,
News of our merciful King's birth.

Then why should men on earth be so sad,
Since our Redeemer made us glad,
When from our sin he set us free,
All for to gain our liberty?

When sin departs before His grace,
Then life and health come in its place.
Angels and men with joy may sing
All for to see the new-born King.

All out of darkness we have light,
Which made the angels sing this night:
"Glory to God and peace to men,
Now and for evermore, Amen!"

Poem: I Sing of a Maiden (I Syng of a Mayden)

Painting by Bartolme Esteban Murillo - Wikipedia 

I Sing of a Maiden (I Syng of a Mayden) is an anonymous English poem which dates back to a 15th century manuscript, but likely goes back in oral tradition much further. Based upon the Annunciation to the Blessed Virgin Mary found in Luke 1:26-38, it is considered by scholars to be one of the finest examples of Middle English lyrics. I Sing of a Maiden is included in the Poems for Advent and Christmas Appendix of the Divine Office (1974).

Setting by Patrick Hadley (1899-1973)

I SING OF A MAIDEN (Anonymous)

I sing of a maiden
That is matchless;
King of all Kings
For her Son she chose.

He came all so still,
Where His mother was,
Adv As dew in April
That falleth on the grass.

He came all so still
To His mother's bowr,
As dew in April
That falleth on flower.

He came all so still,
Where His mother lay,
As dew in April
That falleth on the spray.

Mother and maiden
Was ne'er none but she;
Well may such a lady
Godes mother be.

Christ is Here, Emmanuel!

Fresco by Geburt Christi Pescoller (Sr) - Courtesy of Wikipedia

Christ is Here, Emmanuel! is written by the Benedictine Nuns of Stanbrook Abbey. In the Divine Office (1974) it is sung during Christmastide before Epiphany. The recommended tune in the Office is Ravenshaw. That tune's hymn meter of 66.66 unfortunately does not match the text of Christ is Here, Emmanuel! An alternative tune that can be used in it's place is the plainchant melody featured in the following video.


Alternative Tune: Plainchant (Mary Crowned with Living Light)

Christ Whose Blood for All Men Streamed

Modern Stained Glass - Courtesy of Wikipedia

In the Divine Office (1974), Christ Whose Blood for All Men Streamed is used as an optional hymn throughout the Christmas season up until Epiphany. The suggested musical setting in the Divine Office is to the folk tune: Greystones. An alternative melody that can also be used is Culbach, as featured in the following video.

Alternative Tune: Culbach

A Noble Flower of Juda

Painting by Gerard van Honthorst - Courtesy of Wikipedia

A Noble Flower of Juda is a paraphrased adaption by Anthony G. Petti of an anonymous 15th century Marian hymn: Es ist ein Ros Entsprungen (A Rose Has Spring Up). The original words of the German carol are of anonymous authorship and were first published in 1599 along with the traditional folk tune commonly associated with it: Es ist ein Ros, then later adapted in 1609 by the German composer, Michael Praetorius (1571-1621). In the Divine Office (1974), A Noble Flower of Juda is sung at Evening Prayer I on Christmas Eve, and is also used as an optional hymn from Christmas up until Epiphany.


Tune: Es ist ein Ros entsprungen

Afar from Where the Sun Doth Rise / A Solis Ortus Cardine

Painting by Lorenzo Lotto - Courtesy Wikipedia

Afar from Where the Sun Doth Rise is a translation by the Catholic Priest and theologian, Msgr. Ronald A. Knox (1888-1957) of the Latin hymn: A Solis Ortus Cardine by the 5th century Christian poet, Coelius Sedulius (d.450?). This Latin hymn is composed of the first 7 verses of a much longer poem: an abecedarius, in which each verse begins with a consecutive letter of the alphabet (Latin, in this case). Also known as the Paean Alphabeticus de Christo, the poem consisting of 23 quatrains of iambic dimeters recounts the life of Christ from birth to resurrection. These 7 verses with added doxology (by an anonymous author), have been used since the early Middle Ages as a Christmas hymn. In the Roman Breviary A Solis Ortus Cardine is sung at Lauds during the Christmas season. Verses 8, 9, 11, and 13 of this same poem by Sedulius also comprise another hymn: Hostis Herodes Impie, which is sung at Epiphany. In the Divine Office (1974), Afar from Where the Sun Doth Rise is sung with Morning Prayer on Christmas Day, and is an optional hymn for use through the Christmas season up until Epiphany. It is set to the tune: St. Venantius, first published in the Paris Antiphoner of 1681. An alternative tune that can also be used is Winchester New, as featured in the following video.


Alternative Tune: Winchester New

A SOLIS ORTUS CARDINE

1. A solis ortus cardine
adusque terrae limitem
Christum canamus Principem,
natum Maria Virgine.

2. Beatus auctor saeculi
servile corpus induit,
ut carne carnem liberans
non perderet quod condidit.

3. Clausae parentis viscera
caelestis intrat gratia;
venter puellae baiulat
secreta quae non noverat.

4. Domus pudici pectoris
templum repente fit Dei;
intacta nesciens virum
verbo concepit Filium.

5. Enixa est puerpera
quem Gabriel praedixerat,
quem matris alvo destines
clausus Ioannes senserat. 

6. Feno iacere pertulit,
praesepe non abhorruit,
parvoque lacte pastus est
per quem nec ales esurit.

7. Gaudet chorus caelestium
et Angeli canunt Deum,
palamque fit pastoribus
Pastor, Creator omnium.

8. Iesu, tibi sit gloria,
qui natus es de Virgine,
cum Patre et almo Spiritu,
in sempiterna saecula. Amen.


Performed by Schola Gregoriana Monostorinensis

Liturgical Guide: Christmas

Christmas is the Church's celebration of the Incarnation. Beginning at paragraph #525, here is what the Catechism of the Catholic Church says of the Christmas mystery: "Jesus was born in a humble stable, into a poor family. Simple shepherds were the first witnesses to this event. In this poverty heaven's glory was made manifest. The Church never tires of singing the glory of this night. To become a child in relation to God is the condition for entering the kingdom. For this, we must humble ourselves and become little. Even more: to become 'children of God' we must be 'born from above' or 'born of God'. Only when Christ is formed in us will the mystery of Christmas be fulfilled in us. Christmas is the mystery of this 'marvellous exchange'."

LITURGY OF THE HOURS (1975)
68. A Child is Born
69. From Heaven High
70. Go Tell It on the Mountain
71. O Come, All Ye Faithful
72. Songs of Praise the Angels Sang
73. Virgin-Born, We Bow Before You
74. What Child is This
75. A Child is Born in Bethlehem
76. Unto Us a Child is Given

DIVINE OFFICE (1974)
6. A Noble Flower of Juda
7. Afar from Where the Sun Doth Rise
8. Christ Whose Blood for All Men Streamed
9. O Come, All Ye Faithful
10. Unto Us a Child is Given
11. Of the Father's Love Begotten
12. Christ is Here, Emmanuel!
13. Bethlehem of Noblest Cities
14. Songs of Thankfulness and Praise

Commentary on Christmas by Fr. Robert Barron

Bethlehem of Noblest Cities / O Sola Magnarum Urbium

Fairer Than the Sun at Morning

Bethlehem of Noblest Cities is a translation of the Latin poem, O Sola Magnarum Urbium by the Roman poet Aurelius Prudentius (348-c.413). He was a lawyer and Governor in Northern Spain. Although likely brought up a Christian (for he never writes of a conversion), later in life he experiences a profound sense of regret for his past zeal for career and worldly affairs. From then on he adopts an austere and penitential life and devotes his efforts to writing for the Glory of God. O Sola Magnarum Urbium was composed during this period. It is drawn from the lyrical poem Quicumque Christum Quærtis (Hymn for the Epiphany) from his collection, Liber Cathemerinon. In 1568, it was introduced into the revised Breviary by St. Pius V as the Lauds Hymn on Epiphany. In 1849 it was translated by Fr. Edward Caswall (1814-1878). It is set to the tune, Stuttgart attributed to Christian Friedrich Witt (1660-1716) and first published in the Psalmodia Sacra of 1715. In the Divine Office, Bethlehem of Noblest Cities is used during Christmas, at Epiphany, and other Feast Days of the Nativity.

Tune: Stuttgart

BETHLEHEM! OF NOBLEST CITIES by Edward Caswall, 1849 (Public Domain)

1. Bethlehem! of noblest cities
none can once with thee compare;
thou alone the Lord from heaven
didst for us Incarnate bear.

2. Fairer than the sun at morning
was the star that told His birth;
to the lands their God announcing,
hid beneath a form of earth.

3. By its lambent beauty guided,
see the eastern kings appear;
see them bend, their gifts to offer:
gifts of incense, gold, and myrrh.

4. Solem things of mystic meaning!
Incense doth the God disclose;
Gold a royal Child proclaimeth;
Myrrh a future tomb foreshows.

5. Holy Jesu, in Thy brightness
to the Gentile world displayed,
with the Father and the Spirit,
endless praise to Thee be paid.


O SOLA MAGNARUM URBIUM

1. O Sola magnarum urbium
maior Bethlehem, cui contigit
ducem salutis caelitus
incorporatum gignere.

2. Haec stella, quae solis rotam
vincit decore ac lumine,
venisse terris nuntiat
cum carne terrestri Deum.

3. Videre postquam illum Magi,
eoa promunt munera:
stratique votis offerunt
thus, myrrham, et aurum regium.

  4. Regem Deumque annuntiant
 thesaurus, et fragrans odor
 thuris Sabaei, ac myrrheus
 pulvis sepulchrum praedocet.

5. Iesu, tibi sit gloria,
qui apparuisti gentibus,
cum Patre, et almo Spiritu,
in sempiterna saecula.

Of the Father's Love Begotten / Corde Natus Ex Parentis

Evermore and Evermore

Of the Father's Love Begotten is a translation of the Latin poem, Corde Natus Ex Parentis by the Roman poet Aurelius Prudentius (348-c.413). It is drawn from his work Liber Cathemerinon, comprised of 12 poems that contemplate the canonical hours, and liturgical feast days and seasons. The original 1851 English translation by John Mason Neale (1818-1866) was later edited and re-edited by Henry W. Baker (1821-1877) and Roby Furley Davis (1866–1937) for various hymnals of the Church of England. It is set to the tune, Divinum Mysterium, first published in 1582 in the Piae Cantiones, and based upon an ancient plainchant melody (see 2nd video). In the Divine Office, Of the Father's Love Begotten is used during the Christmas Season and related Feast Days of the Nativity.





Corde natus ex parentis
Ante mundi exordium
A et O cognominatus,
ipse fons et clausula
Omnium quae sunt, fuerunt,
quaeque post futura sunt.
Saeculorum saeculis.

Unto Us a Child is Given

God Made Man and Prince of Peace

Unto Us a Child is Given was written by the Benedictine Nuns of Stanbrook Abbey. It was first published in 1971 as part of the Stanbrook Abbey Hymnal. They have recently moved from their former Victorian era Abbey to a new home in the North Yorkshire Moors National Park in North Yorkshire, UK. Visitors are welcome join the Sisters in the chapel for Mass and Divine Office. Unto us a Child is Given is sung to the tune: Drakes Broughton by Edward Elgar. It is used in the Liturgy of the Hours during Christmas.

A Child is Born in Bethlehem

Rejoice and Sing, Jerusalem!

A Child is Born in Bethlehem is an anonymous 14th century translation of the latin hymn: Puer Natus in Bethlehem. The strophic melody is adapted from the original Gregorian Mode I with added alleluias and refrain. The following video features the La Jolla Renaissance Singers performing it in the original latin with an alternating drone as sung in the Byzantine style that influenced Old Roman Chant. In the Liturgy of the Hours, A Child is Born in Bethlehem is used during Christmas.



A CHILD IS BORN IN BETHLEHEM - Anonymous (Public Domain)

1. The Child is born in Bethlehem, Alleluia.
Rejoice and sing, Jerusalem! Alleluia.

2. Low in the manger lieth He, Alleluia.
Whose reign no bound or end can see. Alleluia.

3. The ox and as their Owner know, Alleluia.
And own their Lord thus stooping low. Alleluia.

4. Kings coming from the furthest East, Alleluia.
Bring old, frankincense, myrrh to Christ. Alleluia.

5. That lowly dwelling entering, Alleluia.
They humbly greet the new-born King. Alleluia.

6. Born of a virgin mother mild, Alleluia.
Seed of the woman, wondrous Child. Alleluia.

7. Born of our blood, without the sin, Alleluia.
No serpent's venom left therein. Alleluia.

8. Like us, in flesh of human frame, Alleluia.
Unlike in sin alone, He came: Alleluia.

9. That He might make us, sinful men, Alleluia.
Like God, and like Himself again. Alleluia.

10. In this, our Christmas happiness, Alleluia.
The Lord with festive hymns we bless. Alleluia.

11. The Holy Trinity be praised, Alleluia.
To God our ceaseless thanks be raised. Alleluia.

What Child is This

Joy, Joy for Christ is Born

What Child is This was written in 1865 by the Bristol surgeon and writer William Chatterton Dix (1837-1898). In his late 20's he was confined to bed with a life threatening illness. Though he became deeply depressed during this period, he tried to occupy himself with writing. Some of his best known works, including What Child is This were composed during this episode. It is set to the 16th Century English folk melody, Greensleeves. In the Liturgy of the Hours, What Child is This is sung during Christmas.



WHAT CHILD IS THIS? by William Dix, 1865 (Public Domain)

1. What Child is this who, laid to rest
On Mary’s lap is sleeping?
Whom angels greet with anthems sweet,
While shepherds watch are keeping?
This, this is Christ the King,
Whom shepherds guard and angels sing;
Haste, haste, to bring Him laud,
The Babe, the Son of Mary.

 2. Why lies He in such mean estate,
Where ox and ass are feeding?
Good Christians, fear, for sinners here
The silent Word is pleading.
Nails, spear shall pierce Him through,
The cross be borne for me, for you.
Hail, hail the Word made flesh,
The Babe, the Son of Mary.

3. So bring Him incense, gold and myrrh,
Come peasant, king to own Him;
The King of kings salvation brings,
Let loving hearts enthrone Him.
Raise, raise a song on high,
The virgin sings her lullaby.
Joy, joy for Christ is born,
The Babe, the Son of Mary.

Virgin-Born, We Bow Before You

Blest Was She in Her Child

Virgin-Born, We Bow Before You was written by clergyman, Reginald Heber (1783-1826). It was published posthumously after his sudden death from a stroke while serving as the Anglican Bishop of Calcutta. The suggested tune in the Divine Office is Psalm 86 by Claude Goudimel (1514-1572). A popular alternative is the tune: Mon Dieu, Prete Moi L'Oreille, as featured in the following video. In the Liturgy of the Hours, Virgin-Born, We Bow Before You is sung during Christmas, on the Feast of the Holy Family, and in the Common of the Blessed Virgin Mary.


Tune: Mon Dieu, Prete Moi L'Oreille

VIRGIN-BORN, WE BOW BEFORE THEE by Reginald Heber, 1827 (Public Domain)

Virgin-born, we bow before thee:
blessed was the womb that bore thee;
Mary, Mother meek and mild,
blessed was she in her Child.
Blessed was the breast that fed thee;
blessed was the hand that led thee;
blessed was the parent's eye
that watched thy slumbering infancy.

Blessed she by all creation,
who brought forth the world's salvation,
and blessed they, for ever blest,
who love thee most and serve thee best.
Virgin-born, we bow before thee;
blessed was the womb that bore thee;
Mary, Mother meek and mild,
blessed was she in her Child.

Songs of Praise the Angels Sang

Heaven with Alleluias Rang

Songs of Praise the Angels Sang, first published in 1819 was written by James Montgomery (1771-1854). He wrote as much as 400 hymns, many of them based on the Psalms. He was also known for his dedication to the abolition of slavery and child labour practices. The version printed in the Divine Office is an adaptation by Anthony G. Petti (1932-1985). It is set to the tune: Lauds by John Wilson. It is the same melody used for the Brian Wren hymn sung in the video below: There's a Spirit in the Air. In the Liturgy of the Hours, Songs of Praise the Angels Sang is used during Christmas.



SONGS OF PRAISE THE ANGELS SANG by James Montgomery, 1819 (Public Domain)

1. Songs of praise the angels sang,
heaven with alleluias rang,
when creation was begun,
when God spoke and it was done.

2. Songs of praise awoke the morn
when the Prince of Peace was born;
songs of praise arose when he
captive led captivity.

3. Heaven and earth must pass away;
songs of praise shall crown that day;
God will make new heavens and earth;
songs of praise shall hail their birth.

4. And will man alone be dumb
till that glorious kingdom come?
No; the Church delights to raise
psalms and hymns and songs of praise.

5. Saints below, with heart and voice,
still in songs of praise rejoice,
learning here, by faith and love,
songs of praise to sing above.

6. Borne upon their latest breath,
songs of praise shall conquer death;
then, amidst eternal joy,
songs of praise their powers employ.

7. Hymns of glory, songs of praise,
Father, unto thee we raise,
Jesus, glory unto thee,
with the Spirit, ever be.

O Come, All Ye Faithful

O Come, Let Us Adore Him

O Come, All Ye Faithful is an adaptation of the original 18th century Latin carol: Adeste Fideles attributed to John Francis Wade (1711-1786). Wade had fled to France after the Jacobite Uprising of 1745 where he remained the rest of his life, living with other exiled English Catholics, continuing to write and teach music for the Church. In 1751 he published Adeste Fideles set to the same tune sung today, although the authorship of the music is not clear. The text was translated and expanded in 1841 by Fr. Frederick Oakeley (1802-1880), a convert to Catholicism from the Anglican Church who was a member of Cardinal Newman's community at Littlemore. In the Liturgy of the Hours, O Come, All Ye Faithful is used during Christmas.



O COME, ALL YE FAITHFUL by John F. Wade, 1743 (Public Domain)

1. O come, all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant,
O come ye, O come ye, to Bethlehem.
Come and behold Him, born the King of angels;

Refrain:  O come, let us adore Him,
               O come, let us adore Him,
               O come, let us adore Him,
               Christ the Lord.

2. True God of true God, Light from Light Eternal,
Lo, He shuns not the Virgin’s womb;
Son of the Father, begotten, not created;

3. Sing, choirs of angels, sing in exultation;
O sing, all ye citizens of heaven above!
Glory to God, all glory in the highest;

4. See how the shepherds, summoned to His cradle,
Leaving their flocks, draw nigh to gaze;
We too will thither bend our joyful footsteps;

5. Lo! star led chieftains, Magi, Christ adoring,
Offer Him incense, gold, and myrrh;
We to the Christ Child bring our hearts’ oblations.

6. Child, for us sinners poor and in the manger,
We would embrace Thee, with love and awe;
Who would not love Thee, loving us so dearly?

7. Yea, Lord, we greet Thee, born this happy morning;
Jesus, to Thee be glory given;
Word of the Father, now in flesh appearing.

Go Tell It on the Mountain

Over the Hills and Everywhere

Go Tell it On the Mountain is a well known and often performed African-American Spiritual. It was compiled as early as 1865 from different folk song variants by John Wesley Work, Jr. During the folk revival of the 1960's it found new popularity when it was re-written as a Civil Rights Anthem by Peter, Paul, and Mary; which included replacing the theme of Nativity ("Our Jesus Christ is Born") with one of Exodus ("Let My People Go"). In the Liturgy of the Hours, Go Tell It on the Mountain is used during Christmas.


GO TELL IT ON THE MOUNTAIN (Public Domain)

Refrain: Go, tell it on the mountain,
              Over the hills and everywhere
              Go, tell it on the mountain,
              That Jesus Christ is born.

1. While shepherds kept their watching
Over silent flocks by night
Behold throughout the heavens
There shone a holy light.

2. The shepherds feared and trembled,
When lo! above the earth,
Rang out the angels chorus
That hailed the Savior’s birth.

3. Down in a lowly manger
The humble Christ was born
And God sent us salvation
That blessèd Christmas morn.

From Heaven High

I Bring You Tidings Good and New

From Heaven High is an adaptation of the German carol, Vom Himmel Hoch da Komm' ich Her. Martin Luther (1483-1546) wrote this hymn for his five year old son Hans and later had it performed at their home on Christ­mas Eve by someone dressed as an angel who then after singing the opening verses was greeted by the children who responded: "Wel­come to earth, thou no­ble guest!" JS Bach would later compose a set of variations based upon the text. The 1939 translation in the Divine Office is by Episcopalian, Winfred Douglas (1867-1944) and is set to the same tune Luther used: Geistliche Lieder (1539). In the Liturgy of the Hours, From Heaven High is used during Christmas.