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A Great Wonder appears on Earth today! God is come among human beings;
the Holy One who cannot be contained is contained in a womb; the Timeless One enters time.
O great mystery! This conception is without seed, this emptying past telling! So great is this mystery! For God empties self, takes flesh and is fashioned as a creature, when the angel tells the pure Virgin of her conception: “Rejoice, you who are full of grace; the Lord who has great mercy is with you!”
(Orthodox Sticheron (Hymn) for the Annunciation)
Invitation to Worship
O Holy One,+ open my lips.
~And my mouth will proclaim your praise.
Behold the Handmaid of Adonai, Alleluia!
~May it be done to me according to your word. Alleluia!
R. The Word made flesh and dwelling among us: Come, let us adore! Alleluia!
Today is the fountainhead of our salvation
and the revelation of the mystery
that was planned from all eternity:
The Son of God becomes the Son of Mary,
and Gabriel announces this wondrous grace. (R.)
Today is the announcement of joy!
Today heaven is joined to Earth;
Adam is renewed and Eve is released from sorrow,
Our own human flesh has become God’s temple. (R.)
A young woman’s womb receives the Word,
The Holy Spirit is sent with power,
The Abba on High is well pleased,
And we acclaim the mystery of salvation: (R.)
Morning Hymn of the Annunciation
We praise Adonai this day, This day so long foretold,
whose promise shone with cheering ray On waiting saints of old.
The prophets gave the sign For faithful folk to read:
A virgin born of David’s line Shall bear the promised seed.
She meekly bowed her head To hear the gracious word,
The Virgin Mary, blessed and free–So favored of the Lord.
Blest ever be her name In every age on earth,
Through whom that wondrous mercy came: Th’ Incarnate Savior’s birth.
Jesus, the Virgin’s Son, We praise you and adore
Who are with God your Abba one, and Spirit evermore. Amen
Tune: ST. THOMAS S.M. (1770); Text: Fallow Selection of Hymns (1847); adpt and alt.
PSALMODY
Antiphon
Upon entering the world the Word proclaims:
“You have given me a body, behold! I come to do your will, O God,” Alleluia!
Psalm 39/40: 1-12
I waited and waited for Adonai.
At long last God stooped down
and listened to my cry;
Adonai pulled me from the deadly pit
out of the miry clay,
and gave me a steady stride
on rock-solid ground.
God gave me a new song:
a hymn of praise.
Those who see this will be moved
to trust in Adonai.
Happy indeed are those
who place their trust in God,
not seduced by idols
nor won over by the lies of rebels.
How many are the wonders, Adonai,
that you work on our behalf;
Were I to name them all,
no one could count or keep track.
Truly you are beyond compare:
You do not ask for sacrifice and offerings
but an open ear.
You do not ask for holocaust or victim.
Instead, here am I.
In the scroll of the book it stands written
that I should do your will.
My God, I delight in your law
in the depth of my heart.
I will celebrate your justice
before all in the great assembly;
I do not hold back the story–
Adonai, you know this is true.
I did not hide in my heart
your acts of justice and rescue;
I boldly declared to all
your truth and care, your faithful love.
Adonai you always surround me
with the compassion of a loving mother,
Your certain and tender care
will always protect and guard me.
Glory to the ONE and to the WORD
and to the BREATH of Love.
As always before
so now and evermore. Amen.
Upon entering the world the Word proclaims:
“You have given me a body, behold! I come to do your will, O God,” Alleluia!
READING Hebrews 10: 4-6
Brothers and sisters:
It is impossible that the blood of bulls and goats take away sins.
For this reason, when Christ came into the world, he said:
“Sacrifice and offering you did not desire, but a body you prepared for me;
in holocausts and sin offerings you took no delight.
Then I said, ‘As is written of me in the scroll, behold, I come to do your will, O God.’”
Responsory
R. O Virgin Mary, receive the word given by the angel: You will conceive and bear Him who is both Human and Divine. *And you will be called: “Most blessed of all women,” Alleluia!
V. Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you. *And you will be called: “Most blessed of all women,” Alleluia! V. Glory to the Abba and the Word and the Holy Breath of Love.
Canticle of Zachariah
Antiphon
The Word was made flesh, and lived among us, and we saw the glory,
the glory that is his as the Beloved Son of the Abba, full of grace and truth. Alleluia!
Blessed + be Adonai, the God of Israel,
Who visits this people to set us free
Raising for us a sign of salvation
In the house and family of David.
God promised throughout past ages
In words of holy prophets
To save us from our enemies,
And from the control of our oppressors.
Adonai favored our ancestors
And remembered the sacred covenant.
The pledge to Abraham and Sarah
Is now renewed for us;
That freed from the grip of our foes
We might worship without fear
And be both just and holy
For the rest of our days.
And you, child, called “prophet of the Most High,”
Will go ahead to prepare the way,
By teaching this people of salvation
Through forgiveness of their sins.
For the loving compassion of the Holy One
As the Rising Sun will shine upon us
To illumine the darkness and dispel death’s shadow
To guide our feet on the way of peace.
Glory to the ONE and to the WORD
And to the BREATH of Love!
As always before,
so now and evermore. Amen
The Word was made flesh, and lived among us, and we saw the glory,
the glory that is his as the Beloved Son of the Abba, full of grace and truth. Alleluia!
SERVICE OF PRAYER
Litany of Intercession
Incarnate Word of God and Son of Mary of Nazareth,
~In your compassion, hear our prayer.
Gabriel brought the invitation to Mary;
~ give us her courage to say “Let your will be done.”
She conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit;
~may your Spirit make us bearers of the Word.
You and your parents were refugees from violence and you were immigrants;
~may we welcome those who flee poverty and war.
Simeon and Anna recognized you in the temple and foretold the suffering your love would entail;
~help us to recognize you in others and comfort those whose hearts are pierced with sorrow.
You shared and entrusted your Mother to the Beloved disciple;
~may we include all who suffer loss in our circle of prayer and concern.
Your coming on Earth marked the beginning of a new age;
~may this great feast in early Spring mark the renewal of all creation.
Prayer of Jesus
Our Dear Abba in heaven …
Closing Prayer & Blessing
Holy One, Source of all light and life, the virgin Mary conceived and bore a Son who is called Wonderful God and Prince of Peace. May her bold consent and “Let it be” inspire all of us to say “yes” when you call, and bring the Word to birth each day by lending our hands and our hearts to building your reign on Earth as it is in heaven where you live and love both now and forever.
~Amen.
May the God of Life , the Incarnate Word and the Holy Breath of Love + bless us and lead us to eternal life.
~Amen.
Let us bless Adonai, Alleluia, Alleluia!
~And give thanks to God. Alleluia, Alleluia!