Proclamation of the Birth of Christ

Latin text

Octavo Kalendas Januarii Luna N.

Anno a creatione mundi, quando in principio Deus creavit cælum et terram, quinquies millesimo centesimo nonagesimo nono;

a diluvio autem, anno bis millesimo nongentesimo quinquagesimo septimo;

a nativitate Abrahæ, anno bis millesimo quintodecimo;

a Moyse et egressu populi Israël de Ægypto, anno millesimo quingentesimo decimo;

ab unctione David in Regem, anno millesimo trigesimo secundo;

Hebdomada sexagesima quinta, juxta Danielis prophetiam;

Olympiade centesima nonagesima quarta;

ab urbe Roma condita, anno septingentesimo quinquagesimo secundo;

anno Imperii Octaviani Augusti quadragesimo secundo;

toto orbe in pace composito, sexta mundi ætate, Jesus Christus, æternus Deus æternique Patris Filius, mundum volens adventu suo piissimo consecrare, de Spiritu Sancto conceptus, novemque post conceptionem decursis mensibus, in Bethlehem Judæ nascitur ex Maria Virgine factus Homo.

Nativitas Domini nostri Jesu Christi secundum carnem.

English translation

The twenty-fifth of December.

In the year, from the creation of the world, when in the beginning God created Heaven and earth, five thousand one hundred and ninety-nine;

from the flood, two thousand nine hundred and fifty-seven;

from the birth of Abraham, two thousand and fifteen;

from Moses and the coming of the Israelites out of Egypt, one thousand five hundred and ten;

from the anointing of King David, one thousand and thirty-two;

in the sixty-fifth week, according to the prophecy of Daniel;

in the one hundred and ninety-fourth Olympiad;

in the year seven hundred and fifty-two from the founding of the city of Rome;

in the forty-second year of the empire of Octavian Augustus,

when the whole world was at peace, in the sixth age of the world, Jesus Christ, eternal God, and Son of the eternal Father, desirous to sanctify the world by His most merciful coming, having been conceived of the Holy Ghost, and nine months having elapsed since His conception, is born in Bethlehem of Juda, having become Man of the Virgin Mary.

The Nativity of Our Lord Jesus Christ according to the flesh.^[4]

Latin text

Octavo Kalendas Januarii Luna N.

Innumeris transactis saeculis a creatione mundi, quando in principio Deus creavit caelum et terram et hominem formavit ad imaginem suam;

permultis etiam saeculis, ex quo post diluvium Altissimus in nubibus arcum posuerat, signum fœderis et pacis;

a migratione Abrahæ, patris nostri in fide, de Ur Chaldæorum saeculo vigesimo primo;

ab egressu populi Israël de Ægypto, Moyse duce, saeculo decimo tertio;

ab unctione David in regem, anno circiter millesimo; hebdomada sexagesima quinta, juxta Danielis prophetiam;

Olympiade centesima nonagesima quarta;

ab Urbe condita anno septingentesimo quinquagesimo secundo;

anno imperii Cæsaris Octaviani Augusti quadragesimo secundo;

toto orbe in pace composito, Jesus Christus, æternus Deus æternique Patris Filius, mundum volens adventu suo piissimo consecrare, de Spiritu Sancto conceptus, novemque post conceptionem decursis mensibus, in Bethlehem Judæ nascitur ex Maria Virgine factus homo:

Nativitas Domini nostri Jesu Christi secundum carnem.

English translation

The Twenty-fifth Day of December,

when ages beyond number had run their course from the creation of the world,

when God in the beginning created heaven and earth, and formed man in his own likeness;

when century upon century had passed since the Almighty set his bow in the clouds after the Great Flood, as a sign of covenant and peace;

in the twenty-first century since Abraham, our father in faith, came out of Ur of the Chaldees;

in the thirteenth century since the People of Israel were led by Moses in the Exodus from Egypt;

around the thousandth year since David was anointed King;

in the sixty-fifth week of the prophecy of Daniel;

in the one hundred and ninety-fourth Olympiad;

in the year seven hundred and fifty-two since the foundation of the City of Rome;

in the forty-second year of the reign of Caesar Octavian Augustus,

the whole world being at peace, Jesus Christ, eternal God and Son of the eternal Father, desiring to consecrate the world by his most loving presence, was conceived by the Holy Spirit, and when nine months had passed since his conception, was born of the Virgin Mary in Bethlehem of Judah, and was made man:

The Nativity of Our Lord Jesus Christ according to the flesh.^[5][6]