O magnum mysterium

Gregorian responsory O magnum mysterium

Painting of the Nativity scene, by Hans Baldung (1520)

O magnum mysterium is a responsorial chant from the Matins of Christmas.

Text

Latin text

O magnum mysterium,

et admirabile sacramentum,

ut animalia viderent Dominum natum,

iacentem in praesepio!

Beata Virgo, cujus viscera

meruerunt portare

Dominum Iesum 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

the Lord, Jesus Christ.

Alleluia!

History

The image of the oxen and donkey next to the crib is found in Isaiah (Isa. 1.3) and is traditionally related to the nativity scene at the birth of Jesus in Luke 2. Luke (Lk 2.7) does not mention animals, but a manger. In the apocryphal Gospel of Pseudo-Matthew, both animals are specifically named. The image continued to spread from the 13th century onwards when it was included in the Golden Legend. It became the most popular symbol for the mystery of the self-abasement of God in his Incarnation. (Phil 2,6–7).

The second part of the responsory relates to the words with which Elizabeth welcomes Mary, mother of Jesus on her visitation (Lk 1.42–43).

External links

O magnum mysterium: Text, translations and list of free scores by several composers at the Choral Public Domain Library (ChoralWiki)
O Magnum Mysterium by Grex Vocalis
O magnum mysterium on YouTube by Morten Lauridsen
O magnum mysterium on YouTube by Morten Lauridsen sung by Lumen Valo
O magnum mysterium on YouTube by Tomas Victoria
O magnum mysterium on YouTube by Gabrieli
O magnum mysterium on YouTube by Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina
O magnum mysterium on YouTube by Margaret Rizza
O magnum mysterium on YouTube by Ivo Antognini
O magnum mysterium on YouTube by Manolo Da Rold
O magnum mysterium (Serenity) on YouTube by Ola Gjeilo
O magnum mysterium on YouTube by Chris Artley
O magnum mysterium on YouTube by Kevin Memley
O magnum mysterium on YouTube by David Conte

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