O magnum mysterium,
et admirabile sacramentum,
ut animalia viderent Dominum natum,
iacentem in praesepio:
Beata Virgo, cuius viscera
meruerunt portare Dominum Christum.
What a great mystery,
what a wonderful sign,
that animals should see the Lord, new-born,
lying in a manger!
Blessed is the Virgin, whose womb
was privileged to carry Christ the Lord.
∼ From the Roman Breviary, the Matins of Christmas
O magnum mysterium!
