The Annunciation

As 25 March was Easter Tuesday, the Solemnity of the Annunciation of Our Lord to the Blessed Virgin Mary has been transferred to today - the first day following the Easter Octave.



The angel Gabriel from heaven came,
His wings as drifted snow, his eyes as flame;
'All hail', said he, 'thou lowly maiden Mary,
Most highly favoured lady'.
Gloria!

'For know a blessed mother thou shalt be,
All generations laud and honour thee,
Thy Son shall be Emmanuel, by seers foretold;
Most highly favoured lady.
Gloria!

Then gentle Mary meekly bowed her head,
'To me be as it pleaseth God', she said,
'My soul shall laud and magnify his holy name':
Most highly favoured lady.
Gloria!

Of her, Emmanuel the Christ was born
In Bethlehem, all on a Christmas morn,
And Christian folk throughout the world will ever say
'Most highly favoured lady'.
Gloria!

As tomorrow is 1 April, I shall be starting a new mini series entitled 'Welcome Spring'. I shall 'lighten up' the blog a little for a few weeks - though shall continue with a more devotional posting on Sundays.