Puer natus in Bethlehem Facts for Kids

"Puer natus in Bethlehem" is a very old and famous Christmas song. Its name means "A child is born in Bethlehem" in Latin, which is an ancient language. People have been singing this hymn for hundreds of years! The words were written around the 1200s, and the tune we often hear today came a bit later, in the 1300s. It's a beautiful way to celebrate the Christmas story.

Notes of "Puer natus in Bethlehem"

Singing the Story: The Lyrics

This hymn tells the Christmas story through its words. It talks about the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem. The original words are in Latin, but they have been translated into many languages so more people can understand and sing along.

Here are the original Latin words and an English translation from 1876:

Puer natus in Bethlehem, Alleluia.
Unde gaudet Jerusalem. Alleluia.

Hic jacet in præsepio, Alleluia.
Qui regnat sine termino. Alleluia.

Cognovit bos et asinus, Alleluia.
Quod puer erat Dominus. Alleluia.

Reges de Sabâ veniunt, Alleluia.
Aurum, thus, myrrham offerunt. Alleluia.

Intrantes domum invicem, Alleluia.
Novum salutant principem. Alleluia.

De matre natus virgine, Alleluia.
Sine virili semine; Alleluia.

Sine serpentis vulnere, Alleluia.
De nostro venit sanguine; Alleluia.

In carne nobis similis, Alleluia.
Peccato sed dissimilis; Alleluia.

Ut redderet nos homines, Alleluia.
Deo et sibi similes. Alleluia.

In hoc natali gaudio, Alleluia.
Benedicamus Domino: Alleluia.

Laudetur sancta Trinitas, Alleluia.
Deo dicamus gratias. Alleluia.

A Child is born in Bethlehem;
Exult for joy, Jerusalem!

There, in a manger lowly, lies.
He who reigns above the skies.

The ox and ass in neighbouring stall.
See in that Child the Lord of all.

And kingly pilgrims, long foretold.
From East bring incense, myrrh, and gold,

And enter with their offerings.
To hail the new-born King of Kings.

He comes, a maiden mother's Son.
Yet earthly father hath He none;

And, from the serpent's poison free.
He owned our blood and pedigree.

Our feeble flesh and His the same.
Our sinless kinsman He became,

That we, from deadly thrall set free.
Like Him, and so like God, should be.

Come then, and on this natal day.
Rejoice before the Lord and pray.

And to the Holy One in Three.
Give praise and thanks eternally.

The German Version: Ein Kind geborn zu Bethlehem

The hymn "Puer natus in Bethlehem" was translated into German in 1545 by Cyriakus Spangenberg. The German version is called "Ein Kind geborn zu Bethlehem."

The Tune's Journey

The tune for this German translation became very popular. It was published in 1553 by Lucas Lossius. This tune is also known by the Latin name, "Puer natus in Bethlehem."

A famous composer named Johann Sebastian Bach used this tune in some of his music. He included it in a special piece called a "church cantata," which is a type of musical story for a church service. He also used the tune in a piece for the pipe organ, which is a very large musical instrument.

There was an even older version of the hymn's tune. This older tune was used for both the Latin and German versions of the hymn. Bach also used this older tune in another one of his organ pieces.

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Puer natus in Bethlehem Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.

Puer natus in Bethlehem facts for kids

Singing the Story: The Lyrics

The German Version: Ein Kind geborn zu Bethlehem

The Tune's Journey