Morning Reading: Luke 1.39-45

visitation(1) — Mary and Elizabeth
Carl Heinrich Bloch (1834-1890)

Luke 1.39-45

Mary set out in those days and traveled to the hill country in haste to a town of Judah, where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth.

When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the infant leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit, cried out in a loud voice and said, “Most blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. And how does this happen to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For at the moment the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the infant in my womb leaped for joy. Blessed are you who believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled.”

“Ave Maria” – Classical Paintings w/ Kenny G (Schubert)

Peanut Gallery: “The Annunciation” has inspired artists over the centuries, just as it inspires us today. The classical paintings included here come from the amazing website – The Life of Jesus Christ… please check it out, it is a treasure trove of clasical paintings and includes many more of the Annunciation.

I have included Kenny G’s rendition of “Ave Maria” to complement quiet reflection. Please click on audio link.

Annunciation, John William Waterhouse, 1914

Annunciation, Antonello da Messina, 1474

The Cestello Annunciation, Sandro Botticelli, 1489

Annunciation, Jean Hey, Master of Moulins, 1490-5

Annunciation, Peter Paul Rubens, 1610

Annunciation, Jean Hey, Master of Moulins, 1490-5

Annunciation, Peter Paul Rubens, 1610

Please follow this link to The Life of Christ for more “Annunciation” paintings.

Morning Reading; Luke 1.26-38

Luke 1.26-38

"Annunciation," Dante Gabriel Rosetti, 1850 — “Annunciation,” Dante Gabriel Rosetti, 1850

In the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town of Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the house of David, and the virgin’s name was Mary.

And coming to her, he said, “Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with you.”

But she was greatly troubled at what was said and pondered what sort of greeting this might be.

Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name him Jesus. He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father, and he will rule over the house of Jacob forever, and of his Kingdom there will be no end.”

But Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I have no relations with a man?”

And the angel said to her in reply, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore the child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God. And behold, Elizabeth, your relative, has also conceived a son in her old age, and this is the sixth month for her who was called barren; for nothing will be impossible for God.”

Mary said, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.”

Then the angel departed from her.

Advent Hymn: “Of the Father’s love begotten” (YouTube)

“Of the Father’s love begotten”
Aurelius Clemens Prudentius, 4th c

Of the Father’s love begotten, Ere the worlds began to be, He the Alpha and Omega, He the source, the ending He, Of the things that are, that have been, And that future years shall see, Evermore and evermore!

Oh that birth forever-blessèd, When the Virgin, full of grace, By the Holy Ghost conceiving, Bore the Saviour of our race; And the Babe, the world’s Redeemer, First displayed His sacred face, Evermore and evermore!

This is He whom seers in time of old, Chanted of with one accord, Whom the voices of the prophets, Promised in their faithful word. Now He shines, the Long Expected. Let creation praise its Lord, Evermore and evermore!

Let the heights of heaven adore Him. Angel hosts, His praises sing. Powers, dominions bow before Him, And extol our God and King. Let no tongue on earth be silent, Every voice in concert ring, Evermore and evermore!

Christ, to Thee with God the Father, And, O Holy Ghost to Thee, Hymn and chant and high thanksgiving, And unwending praises be: Honor, glory, and dominion, And eternal victory, Evermore and evermore!

Amen.