A recreation of Christmas Day in the Early Middles Ages, the concert begins with the Matins Liturgy, celebrated before sunrise, followed by Mass. Complementing the Gregorian music, a Christmas Sequence will be sung which was written by the Benedictine monk Notker Balbulus (a composer and poet who lived in the 10th century in the monastery of São Galo, Switzerland). Following the Sequence, at the liturgically appropriate moment, the Sermon of Father António Vieira (dedicated to the Expectation of the Blessed Virgin Mary) will be read. The concert will end with the Marian antiphon Alma Redemptoris Mater, from the Compline office, the last moment of prayer of the day.

Ad Invitatorium

Ant. Christus natus est nobis cum Ps. 94

Ad Officium Lectionis

Hymnus: Candor aeternae

In I Nocturno

Ant I. Dominus dixit ad me

Ant II. Tamquam sponsus

Ant III. Diffusa est gratia

In II Nocturno

Ant IV. Suscepimus Deus

Ant V. Orietur

Ant VI. Veritas de terra orta est

In III Nocturno

Ant VII. Ipse invocabit me

Ant VIII. Laetentur caeli

Ant IX. Notum fecit Dominus

Ad Missam in Die

Introitus: Puer natus est nobis

Graduale: Viderunt omnes

Alleluia Dies sanctificatus

Notker Balbulus (c. 840-912)

Sequentia: Natus ante saecula

Padre António Vieira (1608-1697) Sermon on the Expectation of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Offertorium: Tui sunt caeli

Communio: Viderunt omnes

Ad Completorium

Ant. Alma Redemptoris Mater

Armando Possante direction

Luís Madureira recital