January 5: Memorial of Saint John Neumann, bishop

The Twelfth Day of Christmas

Where in the world is Saint John Neumann?

Today's song

Gabriel's message does away
Satan's curse and Satan's sway,
out of darkness brings our Day:
so, behold, all the gates of heaven unfold.

He that comes despised shall reign;
he that cannot die, be slain;
death by death its death shall gain:
so, behold, all the gates of heaven unfold.

Weakness shall the strong confound;
by the hands, in grave clothes wound,
Adam's chains shall be unbound:
so, behold, all the gates of heaven unfold.

Art by art shall be assailed;
to the cross shall Life be nailed;
from the grave shall hope be hailed:
so, behold, all the gates of heaven unfold.

The Annunciation; Words: Piae Cantiones, 1582; tr. John Mason Neale (1818-1866).