You held him in your arms in Bethlehem wrapped in swaddling clothes; laid Him in a manger and heard the angels sing “Glory to God on high”; and you pondered all these things and held them in your heart.

You held him in your arms in Jerusalem clothed in white in the Temple; laid Him on the altar and heard the prophet say, “A sword shall pierce your soul”; and you pondered all these things and held them in your heart.

You held him in your arms on Calvary stripped of all His clothes; laid Him in the tomb and heard the soldier say, “This was truly the Son of God”; and you pondered all these things and held them in your heart.

In your womb, in your arms, in your life you carried Jesus; carry Him now into our hearts, Mother of sweet sorrow; Mother of sweet sorrow.