In the turning of the year
In the turning of the year,
Peace to all the world draws near,
For the Child of grace is here—
Born of Holy Mary.
From the Virgin pure and bright,
Queen of Heaven clothed in light,
Angel sovereign in her might—
Holy Maiden Mary.
She brings forth the Sacred Son,
Breaks the devil’s power undone,
Sets the faithful free as one—
Blessèd Virgin Mary.
In the manger low He lay,
Mother kneeling there to pray,
Kissing Him in sweet display—
Gentle Mother Mary.
Angels serve Him from above,
Singing songs of newborn love,
Begging mercies from His Dove—
Through the Virgin Mary.
At the midnight God is born,
Heaven brightens earthly morn,
Like high noon the world adorn—
By the Virgin Mary.
Dawn breaks forth in shining air,
From the Maid so pure and fair,
Heaven’s Queen beyond compare—
Blessèd Virgin Mary.
Every creature, great and small,
Finds its joy within this call,
Honours Him who comes for all—
Born of Holy Mary.
Glory unto God Most High,
To our Lord who dwells on nigh,
Peace to humankind draw nigh—
Through the Virgin Mary.
Those who wandered in the night,
Yearning for the promised Light,
Waited for the Lord of might—
Born of Holy Mary.
He whom God foretold to send,
To the world as humankind’s friend,
Driving darkness to its end—
By the Virgin Mary.
This they longed with hope to see,
To receive with heartfelt glee,
Ever with His grace to be—
Through the Virgin Mary.
Then an angel from the sky
Called the shepherds standing nigh,
Told them joy was drawing by—
Born of Holy Mary.
“Run, O shepherds, haste away,
Leave your flocks without delay,
See God’s Son in straw and hay—
With His Mother Mary.”
Shepherds went without despair,
Found the Holy Child laid there,
Offered praise and heartfelt prayer—
With the Virgin Mary.
Glory unto God Most High,
To our Lord who reigns on high,
Peace to those whose hearts comply—
Through the Virgin Mary.
Eternal glory they beheld,
Wonder in their hearts unquelled,
Unto God their homage swelled—
With the Virgin Mary.
And this wonder blossomed bright
’Round the King of endless light,
Whom the poor in pure delight
Praised with Mother Mary.
In the manger lay the King,
Clothed in neither robe nor ring,
For He chose the humble thing—
With the Virgin Mary.
You, Lord Jesus, now we praise,
Holy Trinity we raise,
And Your Mother all our days—
Blessèd Virgin Mary.
An unknown Croatian poet from the 11th century
