The Annunciation of Our Lord

Today marks the Feast of the Annunciation in the Church’s liturgical calendar (exactly nine months before Christmas), which means we get to dust off one of my favorite Advent hymns, “The Angel Gabriel from Heaven Came.”  If you’ve never before heard this haunting Basque carol (sung below by the world-famous King’s College Choir), take a couple of minutes to listen:

The angel Gabriel from heaven came,
With wings as drifted snow, with eyes as flame:
"All hail to thee, O lowly maiden Mary,
Most highly favored lady." Gloria!

"For know a blessed mother thou shalt be,
All generations laud and honor thee;
Thy son shall be Emmanuel, by seers foretold,
Most highly favored lady." Gloria!

Then gentle Mary meekly bowed her head;
"To me be as it pleaseth God," she said.
"My soul shall laud and magnify God’s holy name."
Most highly favored lady." Gloria!

Of her, Emmanuel, the Christ, was born
In Bethlehem all on a Christmas morn,
And Christian folk through-out the world will ever say:
"Most highly favored lady." Gloria!

Comments

[Brad]

Thanks for that Derek, the modern church [Evangelical] I think misses the richness of this type of meaningful and purposeful hymn and a thoughtful liturgy. The need to be entertained over against experiencing meaninful cogent participation has poisoned the well of spirituality for too many in our day.

[grandconjunct]

Sting and the Police sung this same hymn on a Christmas album back in 1987
I thought it was interesting. The video is available on Youtube I think.