“O magnum mysterium!”

In my judgment, one of the most unearthly, ethereally beautiful pieces of modern classical Christmas music is Morten Lauridsen’s setting of  O magnum mysterium.  Listen up to the 6:25 marker:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q7ch7uottHU

Like Es ist ein Ros entsprungen, it seems perfection to me, and, as I said of that piece, achingly and piercingly lovely.

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!