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, Peter Paul Rubens, 1610
Annunciation, George Hitchcock, 1887 Please follow this link to The Life of Christ for more “Annunciation” paintings.
Morning Reading; Luke 1.26-38
Luke 1.26-38
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.
“On Jordan’s Bank the Baptist’s Cry” – Advent Carol Service 2012 – Trinity College Chapel (YouTube)
Peanut Gallery: “On Jordan’s Bank the Baptist’s Cry” – by Charles Coffin (1676-1749)
The Hymn may be found in the middle of the Trinity College Chapel Advent Carol Service:
- Beginning at 39.14 – Reading: Matthew 3.1-12 “John the Baptist Prepares the Way”
- Beginning at 41.17 – Hymn: “On Jordan’s Bank the Baptist’s Cry”
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“On Jordan’s bank the Baptist’s cry announces that the Lord is nigh. Awake and harken, for he brings glad tidings of the King of kings!”
Please note: The words sung are slightly different from those printed here.
“Then cleansed be every life from sin: make straight the way for God within, and let us all our hearts prepare for Christ to come and enter there.
“We hail you as our Savior, Lord, our refuge and our great reward. Without your grace we waste away like flowers that wither and decay.”
“Stretch forth your hand, our health restore, and make us rise to fall no more. O let your face upon us shine and fill the world with love divine.”
“All praise to you, eternal Son, whose advent has our freedom won, whom with the Father we adore, and Holy Spirit, evermore.”
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.
Silent Night – a conspiracy of love (YouTube)
Silent night, holy night! All is calm, all is bright ’round yon virgin mother and child; holy infant, so tender and mild, sleep in heavenly peace, sleep in heavenly peace.
Silent night, holy night! Shepherds quake at the sight, glories stream from heaven afar, heavenly hosts sing alleluia; Christ, the Savior, is born! Christ, the Savior, is born!
Silent night, holy night! Son of God, love’s pure light, radiant beams from thy holy face, with the dawn of redeeming grace, Jesus, Lord, at thy birth, Jesus, Lord, at thy birth.
The Peanut Gallery 