We are beginning our music selections for the Christmas season with one of the most widely sung carols in the Christian world, “Adeste Fideles.” Originally composed with Latin lyrics, the carol was soon translated and transferred into local language versions—English speakers know it as “O Come, All Ye Faithful.” The origin of this hymn remains uncertain, with its earliest extant manuscript version being by John Francis Wade, a famous English composer and copyist of the 18th century.

Sung here by Enya, the song calls for all the faithful to make their way to Bethlehem and venerate the new-born “King of the Angels.” It is a pilgrimage that today we can also do in a figurative sense as we walk the way of finding the presence of the Divine in our lives, acknowledging His sovereignty and holiness.

Venite adoremus: Come, let us adore Him.

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

O come, let us adore Him, O come, let us adore Him
O come, let us adore Him, Christ the Lord