I began this series to share treasures of the Faith that remain largely inaccessible to English speakers. As we near Christmas, what better treasure to share than this profound meditation and devotional hymn, Tu Scendi dalle Stelle, the Italian Christmas carol written by the Great Saint and Doctor of the Church, St. Alphonsus Maria de Liguori! Composed in 1754 in a manner only the Saints could do, this has become one of the most beloved Christmas carols of all time, but is almost completely lost to the English-speaking world. Below is a video of Andrea Bocelli singing the first 2 (most common) verses of what he calls “the most famous song in Italy,” along with the traditional text in Italian and my literal English translation. Having been advised to abort Andrea (since the doctors predicted that he would be disabled), his parents made the courageous decision to bring him into the world. As a blind tenor and instrumentalist, he has blessed the world with his Faith and his talent, and has been described as having the best voice in the world. (Note: Mr. Bocelli sings “l’averci amato” [to have loved us] in the first verse.)

Tu scendi dalle stelle, o Re del cielo, e vieni in una grotta al freddo e al gelo, e vieni in una grotta al freddo e al gelo. O Bambino mio divino, io ti vedo qui a tremar; O Dio beato! Ai quanto ti costò l’avermi amato! Ai quanto ti costò l’avermi amato!	You descend from the stars, O King of Heaven, and come into a cave, cold and icy, and come into a cave, so cold and icy. O my Divine little Child, I see You here shivering; O blessed God! How much it has cost You to have loved me! O How much it has cost You to have loved me!
A te, che sei del mondo il Creatore, mancano panni e fuoco, o mio Signore, mancano panni e fuoco, o mio Signore. Caro eletto pargoletto, quanto questa povertà più mi innamora, giacché ti fece amor povero ancora, giacché ti fece amor povero ancora.	You, Who are the Creator of the world, are lacking clothing and fire, O my Lord, You’re lacking clothing and fire, O my Lord. Beloved, tiny little Chosen One, how much this poverty enamors me all the more, since it is your Love making You poor again, since it is your Love making You poor again.
Tu lasci il bel gioir del divin seno, per venire a penar su questo fieno, per venire a penar su questo fieno. Dolce amore del mio core, dove amore ti trasportò? O Gesù mio, perché tanto patir? Per amor mio! O Gesù mio, perché tanto patir? Per amor mio!	You left the arms of the Father [literally the Divine bosom], to come and suffer on this hay, to come and suffer on this hay. Sweet Love of my heart, to where has Love transported You? O my Jesus, why do You suffer so much? For my love! O my Jesus, why do You suffer so much? For my love!
Ma se fu tuo voler il tuo patire, perché vuoi pianger poi, perché vagire? Perché vuoi pianger poi, perché vagire? Mio Gesù, t’intendo sì! Ah, mio Signore! Tu piangi non per duol, ma per amore. Tu piangi non per duol, ma per amore.	But if your suffering was your choice, then why do You want to cry, why wail? Then why do You want to cry, why wail? My Jesus, I understand You, yes! Ah, my Lord! You weep not for sorrow, but for Love. You weep not for sorrow, but for Love.
Tu piangi per vederti da me ingrato dopo sì grande amor, sì poco amato! O diletto – del mio petto, se già un tempo fu così, or te sol bramo Caro non pianger più, ch’io t’amo e t’amo! Caro non pianger più, ch’io t’amo e t’amo!	You weep from seeing me so ungrateful toward You. After having Loved me with such great love, loved so little! O Beloved of my heart, if it was so at one time, now I promise You alone, Beloved, do not weep any longer, for I promise to love You, and I do love You! Beloved, do not weep any longer, for I promise to love You, and I love You!
Tu dormi, Ninno mio, ma intanto il core non dorme, no ma veglia a tutte l’ore. Deh, mio bello e puro Agnello a che pensi? dimmi tu. O amore immenso, un dì morir per te, rispondi, io penso. Un dì morir per te, rispondi, io penso.	You sleep, my Little One, but meanwhile Your Heart sleeps not—no, but keeps watch at all hours. Deign to tell me, my pure and beautiful Lamb, What are You thinking about? Tell me. O immense Love, “Of dying for you one day,” You respond, I think. “Of dying for you one day,” You respond, I think.
Dunque a morire per me, tu pensi, o Dio ed altro, fuor di te, amar poss’io? O Maria, speranza mia, s’io poc’amo il tuo Gesù, non ti sdegnare. Amalo tu per me, s’io nol so amare! Amalo tu per me, s’io nol so amare!	Therefore, You think of dying for me, O God, and what else, outside of You, can I possibly love? O Mary, my hope, if I love your Jesus too little, be not angry. Love Him: You for me, if I don’t know how to love Him! Love Him: You for me, if I don’t know how!

May the Divine Child bestow many blessings upon you this Christmas and every day, bringing you ever closer to his Most Sacred Heart, drawing you by his Love.

For more on St. Alphonsus Maria de Liguori, see this article: https://corfidelis.com/2021/09/29/treasures-of-the-faith-part-7-memento-mori/ .

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