An ancient Latin text used in Gregorian (often antiphonal) chants. The penultimate line is generally not present. In the many intervening centuries, this has been chanted daily in the same manner, as well as performed in countless arrangements. It is based on the text in Luke 2.

A Latin illiterate's translation:

Today Christ is born:
Today the Savior appears:
Today on earth Angels sing,
Archangels rejoice:
Today the righteous rejoice, saying:
Glory to God in the Highest,
(And on earth peace, good will to men:)
Alleluia. (Praise the Lord)