The Annunciation

Blessed are you, Lord, the God of Israel; *
you have come to your people and set them free.
You have raised up for us a mighty savior, *
born of the house of your servant David.
Through your holy prophets you promised of old
to save us from our enemies, *
from the hands of all who hate us.
To show mercy to our forebears, *
and to remember your holy covenant.
This was the oath you swore to our father Abraham, *
to set us free from the hands of our enemies,
Free to worship you without fear, *
holy and righteous before you
all the days of our life.
And you, child, shall be called the prophet of the Most High, *
for you will go before the Lord to prepare the way,
To give God’s people knowledge of salvation *
by the forgiveness of their sins.
In the tender compassion of our God *
the dawn from on high shall break upon us,
To shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death, *
and to guide our feet into the way of peace. Luke 1:68-79


The Annunciation

Aroused from the deep sleep of youth
an angelic vision a burden to bear
a brief flash of light and promise
changing her life forever.

Her hands were still a child's soft
her hopes and dreams like any other child
her whole world was her little village
and one night visitor shattered this sanctuary.

She was to bear the light to the world
the son of God would be her flesh and blood
she would carry the solution for our brokenness
and be judged and misunderstood daily.

The servant of God cannot chose our call
cannot refuse a staggering burden
will not turn the cup away from their lips
for God has broken through our grief with love.

There is no one more revered than she
no one more misunderstood confused and judged
a young girl with her life ahead of her
naively said a very trembling yes to God.

She bears the light to the world
this child vessel of sweetness and youth
she bore the agony of her child's death
and call us all to answer yes to God.