(Wikimedia Commons; click to enlarge.)
In my judgment, one of the most unearthly and beautiful pieces of modern classical Christmas music is Morten Lauridsen’s setting of O magnum mysterium:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q7ch7uottHU
- Latin text
- O magnum mysterium,
- et admirabile sacramentum,
- ut animalia viderent Dominum natum,
- jacentem in praesepio!
- Beata Virgo, cujus viscera
- meruerunt portare
- Dominum Christum.
- Alleluia.
- English translation
- O great mystery,
- and wonderful sacrament,
- that animals should see the new-born Lord,
- lying in a manger!
- Blessed is the Virgin whose womb
- was worthy to bear
- Christ the Lord.
- Alleluia!
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