The Office of the Annunciation
From Matins.
The God whom earth, and sea, and sky
Adore, and laud, and magnify,
Who o'er their threefold fabric reigns,
The Virgin's spotless womb contains.
The God, whose will by moon and sun
And all things in due course is done,
Is borne upon a maiden's breast,
By fullest heavenly grace possest,
How blest that mother, in whose shrine
The great artificer divine,
Whose hand contains the earth and sky,
Vouchsafed, as in his ark, to lie.
Blest, in the message Gabriel brought;
Blest, by the work the Spirit wrought;
From whom the great desire of earth
Took human flesh and human birth.
All honour, laud, and glory be,
O Jesu, Virgin-born to thee;
All glory, as is ever meet,
To Father and to Paraclete.
Amen.
From Lauds.
O glorious lady! throned on high
Above the star-illumined sky;
Thereto ordained, thy bosom lent
To thy creator nourishment
Through thy sweet offspring we receive
The bliss once lost through hapless Eve;
And heaven to mortals open lies
Now thou art portal of the skies.
Thou art the door of heaven's high King,
Light's gateway fair and glistering;
Life through a virgin is restored;
Ye ransomed nations, praise the Lord!
All honour, laud, and glory be,
O Jesu, Virgin-born, to thee;
All glory, as is ever meet,
To Father and to Paraclete.
Amen.
From Vespers.
Ave, star of ocean,
Child divine who barest,
Mother, ever-virgin,
Heaven's portal fairest.
Taking that sweet Ave
Erst by Gabriel spoken,
Eva's name reversed,
Be of peace the token.
Break the sinners' fetters,
Light to blind restoring,
All our ills dispelling,
Every boon imploring.
Show thyself a mother
In thy supplication;
He will hear who chose thee
At his incarnation.
Maid all maids excelling,
Passing meek and lowly,
Win for sinners pardon,
Make us chaste and holy.
As we onward journey
Aid our weak endeavour,
Till we gaze on Jesus
And rejoice forever.
Father, Son, and Spirit,
Three in One confessing,
Give we equal glory
Equal praise and blessing.
Amen.