<i>Benedicamus Domino</i> as an expression of joy in Christmas songs of the <i>Devotio moderna</i>

Abstract Christmas, as the celebration of birth Jesus Christ, is a central and joyful feast Christian worship. In medieval early modern Europe, this translated into rich musical tradition, which Christmas songs were significant part. Song collections from Devotio moderna, spiritual movement that spread in Low Countries Germany during 15th 16th centuries, are an important witness to tradition. However, because their wide dissemination simple style, these have presented historiographical challenge: it has proved impossible detail full ubiquitous circulation well-known adopted within well subject music texts close analysis kind usually undertaken for more ‘complex’ polyphony. context, Benedicamus Domino offers new productive perspective: not only was singled out special permission be sung polyphony at but many fact tropes. I trace uses functional implications single very widely transmitted song, Puer nobis nascitur. Based on its polyphonic versions Latin transmissions with mix vernacular texts, argue one element deliberately used guide exercises meditation, inspiring expressing joy season.