The Annunciation

Today is 9 months before the Feast of the Nativity and we celebrate the Annunciation of the Angel Gabriel to Mary.

This is one of my favorite songs of the Christmas Season--Gabriel's Message--a Basque Carol. The lyrics are below.



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 favored lady." Gloria!

"For lo, a blessed mother thou shalt be,
All generations laud and honor thee,
Thy Son shall be Emanuel, 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 his holy name."
Most highly favored lady. Gloria!

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