The Annunciation
Today’s feast commemorates how God made known to a young Jewish woman that she was to be the mother of his Son, and how Mary accepted her vocation with perfect conformity of will. It has been said, “God made us without us, and redeemed us without us, but cannot save us without us.” Mary’s assent to Gabriel’s message opened the way for God to accomplish the salvation of the world. It is for this reason that all generations are to call her “blessed.” Mary’s self-offering in response to God’s call has been compared to that of Abraham, the father of believers. Just as Abraham was called to be the father of the chosen people, and accepted his call, so Mary was called to be the mother of the faithful, the new Israel. She is God’s human agent in the mystery of the Incarnation. Her response to the angel, “Let it be to me according to your word,” is identical with the faith expressed in the prayer that Jesus taught, “Your will be done on earth as in heaven.” HWHM
Antiphon1
Ant. Skies, let the Just One come forth like the dew, *
let him descend from the clouds like the rain.
The earth will open up and give birth to our Savior.
V. The heavens declare the glory of God, *
and the firmament proclaims the work of his hands.
Day unto day conveys the message, *
and night unto night imparts the knowledge. Isaiah 45; Psalm 19
Almighty God,
to whom all hearts are open,
all desires, known,
and from whom no secrets are hid:
Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts
by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit,
that we may perfectly love you
and worthily magnify your holy name;
through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Music: https://tinyurl.com/ufxekitx
God, come to my assistance.
Lord, make haste to help me.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit,
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen.
HYMN: Roland F Palmer ©
Tune: Pleading Saviour https://tinyurl.com/3w3khc26
1. Sing of Mary, pure and lowly, virgin mother undefiled;
sing of God’s own Son most holy, who became her little child.
Fairest child of fairest mother, God the Lord who came to earth,
Word made flesh, our very brother, takes our nature by his birth.
2. Sing of Jesus, son of Mary, in the home at Nazareth,
toil and labor cannot weary love enduring unto death.
Constant was the love he gave her, though he went forth from her side,
forth to preach, and heal, and suffer, till on Calvary he died.
3. Glory be to God the Father; glory be to God the Son;
glory be to God the Spirit; glory to the Three in One.
From the heart of blessed Mary, from all saints the song ascends,
and the Church the strain re-echoes unto earth’s remotest ends.
PSALMS
Psalm 119:33-72 (Anglican Chant: https://tinyurl.com/uzj6wj2)
33 Teach me, O Lord, the way of thy statutes *
and I shall keep it unto the end.
34 Give me understanding, and I shall keep thy law *
yea, I shall keep it with my whole heart.
35 Make me to go in the path of thy commandments *
for therein is my desire.
36 Incline my heart unto thy testimonies *
and not to covetousness.
37 O turn away mine eyes, lest they behold vanity *
and quicken thou me in thy way.
38 O stablish thy word in thy servant *
that I may fear thee.
39 Take away the rebuke that I am afraid of *
for thy judgements are good.
40 Behold, my delight is in thy commandments *
O quicken me in thy righteousness.
41 Let thy loving mercy come also unto me, O Lord *
even thy salvation, according unto thy word.
42 So shall I make answer unto my blasphemers *
for my trust is in thy word.
43 O take not the word of thy truth utterly out of my mouth *
for my hope is in thy judgements.
44 So shall I alway keep thy law *
yea, for ever and ever.
45 And I will walk at liberty *
for I seek thy commandments.
46 I will speak of thy testimonies also, even before kings *
and will not be ashamed.
47 And my delight shall be in thy commandments *
which I have loved.
48 My hands also will I lift up unto thy commandments, which I have loved *
and my study shall be in thy statutes.
49 O think upon thy servant, as concerning thy word *
wherein thou hast caused me to put my trust.
50 The same is my comfort in my trouble *
for thy word hath quickened me.
51 The proud have had me exceedingly in derision *
yet have I not shrinked from thy law.
52 For I remembered thine everlasting judgements, O Lord *
and received comfort.
53 I am horribly afraid *
for the ungodly that forsake thy law.
54 Thy statutes have been my songs *
in the house of my pilgrimage.
55 I have thought upon thy Name, O Lord, in the night-season *
and have kept thy law.
56 This I had *
because I kept thy commandments.
57 Thou art my portion, O Lord *
I have promised to keep thy law.
58 I made my humble petition in thy presence with my whole heart *
O be merciful unto me, according to thy word.
59 I called mine own ways to remembrance *
and turned my feet unto thy testimonies.
60 I made haste, and prolonged not the time *
to keep thy commandments.
61 The congregations of the ungodly have robbed me *
but I have not forgotten thy law.
62 At midnight I will rise to give thanks unto thee *
because of thy righteous judgements.
63 I am a companion of all them that fear thee *
and keep thy commandments.
64 The earth, O Lord, is full of thy mercy *
O teach me thy statutes.
65 O Lord, thou hast dealt graciously with thy servant *
according unto thy word.
66 O learn me true understanding and knowledge *
for I have believed thy commandments.
67 Before I was troubled, I went wrong *
but now have I kept thy word.
68 Thou art good and gracious *
O teach me thy statutes.
69 The proud have imagined a lie against me *
but I will keep thy commandments with my whole heart.
70 Their heart is as fat as brawn *
but my delight hath been in thy law.
71 It is good for me that I have been in trouble *
that I may learn thy statutes.
72 The law of thy mouth is dearer unto me *
than thousands of gold and silver.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son :
and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be :
world without end. Amen.
Psalm 119:33-72 (Gregorian Tone VI)
1 Teach me, O Lord, the way of your statutes, *
and I shall keep it to the end.
34 Give me understanding, and I shall keep your law; *
indeed, I shall keep it with my whole heart.
35 Make me go in the path of your commandments, *
for therein is my desire.
36 Incline my heart to your testimonies, *
and not to covetous desires.
37 O turn away my eyes, lest they behold vanity, *
and revive me in your ways.
38 Confirm your word to your servant, *
and to all those who fear you.
39 Take away the reproach that I am afraid of, *
for your judgments are good.
40 Behold, my delight is in your precepts; *
O revive me in your righteousness.
41 Let your loving mercy come to me, O Lord, *
even your salvation, according to your word.
42 So shall I answer those who taunt me, *
for my trust is in your word.
43 O do not take the word of your truth utterly out of my mouth, *
for my hope is in your judgments.
44 So shall I always keep your law, *
even for ever and ever;
45 And I will walk at liberty, *
for I seek your commandments.
46 I will speak of your testimonies also, even before kings, *
and will not be ashamed;
47 And my delight shall be in your commandments, *
which I have loved exceedingly.
48 My hands also will I lift up to your commandments, *
and I will meditate on your statutes.
49 O remember your word to your servant, *
in which you have caused me to put my trust.
50 This is my comfort in my trouble, *
for your word has given me life.
51 The proud have held me exceedingly in derision, *
yet I have not turned aside from your law.
52 For I have remembered, O Lord, your judgments from of old, *
and by them I have received comfort.
53 I am filled with indignation, *
because of the ungodly who forsake your law.
54 Your statutes have been my songs *
in the house of my pilgrimage.
55 I have thought upon your Name, O Lord, in the night season, *
and I have kept your law.
56 This has been my reward, *
because I have kept your commandments.
57 You are my portion, O Lord; *
I have promised to keep your law.
58 I made my humble petition in your presence with my whole heart; *
O be merciful to me, according to your word.
59 I have called my ways to remembrance *
and turned my feet to your testimonies.
60 I made haste and did not delay *
to keep your commandments.
61 The cords of the ungodly have encircled me, *
but I have not forgotten your law.
62 At midnight I will rise to give thanks to you, *
because of your righteous judgments.
63 I am a companion of all those who fear you *
and keep your commandments.
64 The earth, O Lord, is full of your mercy; *
O teach me your statutes.
65 O Lord, you have dealt graciously with your servant, *
according to your word.
66 O teach me true understanding and knowledge, *
for I have believed your commandments.
67 Before I was afflicted I went astray, *
but now I keep your word.
68 You are good and gracious; *
O teach me your statutes.
69 The proud have slandered me with lies, *
but I will keep your commandments with my whole heart.
70 Their heart has become gross with fatness, *
but my delight is in your law.
71 It is good for me that I have been afflicted, *
that I may learn your statutes.
72 The law of your mouth is dearer to me *
than thousands in gold and silver.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; *
as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen.
PRAYER
Guide us, O God,
by your Word and Spirit,
that in your light we may see light,
in your truth find freedom,
and in your will discover your peace;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. BCW
THE WORD OF GOD
Isaiah 7:10-14
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
Again the Lord spoke to Ahaz, saying, “Ask a sign of the Lord your God; let it be deep as Sheol or high as heaven.” But Ahaz said, “I will not ask, and I will not put the Lord to the test.” Then Isaiah said, “Hear then, O house of David! Is it too little for you to weary mortals that you weary my God also? Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Look, the young woman is with child and shall bear a son and shall name him Immanuel.
HYMN: attr. Ambrose of Milan; trans. Martin Luther; trans. William M Reynolds
Tune: Nun komm der Heiden Heiland https://tinyurl.com/baphfers
1 Savior of the nations, come,
virgin’s Son, make here thy home!
Marvel now, O heav’n and earth,
that the Lord chose such a birth.
2 Not of flesh and blood the Son,
offspring of the Holy One;
born of Mary ever blest,
God in flesh is manifest.
3 Wondrous birth! O wondrous Child
of the Virgin undefiled!
Though by all the world disowned,
still to be in heav’n enthroned.
4 From the Father forth he came
and returneth to the same,
captive leading death and hell,
high the song of triumph swell!
5 Thou, the Father’s only Son,
hast o’er sin the vict’ry won.
Boundless shall thy kingdom be;
when shall we its glories see?
6 Praise to God the Father sing.
Praise to God the Son, our King.
Praise to God the Spirit be
ever and eternally.
READING: Hebrews 2:5-18
Now God did not subject the coming world, about which we are speaking, to angels. But someone has testified somewhere,
“What are humans that you are mindful of them
or mortals that you care for them?
You have made them for a little while lower than the angels;
you have crowned them with glory and honor,
subjecting all things under their feet.”
Now in subjecting all things to them, God left nothing outside their control. As it is, we do not yet see everything in subjection to them, but we do see Jesus, who for a little while was made lower than the angels, now crowned with glory and honor because of the suffering of death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone.
It was fitting that God, for whom and through whom all things exist, in bringing many children to glory, should make the pioneer of their salvation perfect through sufferings. For the one who sanctifies and those who are sanctified all have one Father. For this reason Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers and sisters, saying, “I will proclaim your name to my brothers and sisters; in the midst of the congregation I will praise you.” And again, “I will put my trust in him.” And again, “Here am I and the children whom God has given me.”
Since, therefore, the children share flesh and blood, he himself likewise shared the same things, so that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by the fear of death. For it is clear that he did not come to help angels but the descendants of Abraham. Therefore he had to become like his brothers and sisters in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make a sacrifice of atonement for the sins of the people. Because he himself was tested by what he suffered, he is able to help those who are being tested.
HYMN: Thomas à Kempis; trans. Benjamin Webb
Tune: Eisenach https://tinyurl.com/3h7rdzue
1. O love, how deep, how broad, how high!
It fills the heart with ecstasy,
That God, the Son of God, should take
Our mortal form for mortals’ sake.
2. He sent no angel to our race
Of higher or of lower place,
But wore the robe of human frame
Himself, and to this lost world came.
3. For us he was baptized, and bore
His holy fast, and hungered sore;
For us temptations sharp he knew;
For us the tempter overthrew.
4. For us he prayed, for us he taught,
For us his daily works he wrought,
By words, by signs, and actions, thus
Still seeking not himself, but us.
5. For us to wickedness betrayed,
Scourged, mocked, in purple robe arrayed,
He bore the shameful cross and death;
For us at length gave up his breath.
6. For us he rose from death again,
For us he went on high to reign,
For us he sent his Spirit here
To guide, to strengthen, and to cheer.
7. To him whose boundless love has won
Salvation for us through his Son,
To God the Father, glory be
Both now and through eternity.
READING: Luke 1:26-38
In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. And he came to her and said, “Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you.” But she was much perplexed by his words and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. The angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his ancestor David. He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.” Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I am a virgin?” The angel said to her, “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 holy; he will be called Son of God. And now, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son, and this is the sixth month for her who was said to be barren. For nothing will be impossible with God.” Then Mary said, “Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.” Then the angel departed from her.
CANTICLE Luke 1:46-55
(John Michael Talbot, https://tinyurl.com/mweccsj)
My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,
my spirit rejoices in God my Savior; *
for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant.
From this day all generations will call me blessed: *
the Almighty has done great things for me,
and holy is his Name.
He has mercy on those who fear him *
in every generation.
He has shown the strength of his arm, *
he has scattered the proud in their conceit.
He has cast down the mighty from their thrones, *
and has lifted up the lowly.
He has filled the hungry with good things, *
and the rich he has sent away empty.
He has come to the help of his servant Israel, *
for he has remembered his promise of mercy,
The promise he made to our fathers, *
to Abraham and his children for ever.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: *
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
PRAYERS CW:F
On this day the Father made our salvation known to Mary
by the message of an angel.
Filled with confidence, let us pray.
You chose the Virgin Mary to be the mother of your Son.
Have mercy on all who wait for your redemption.
We pray for the Church universal.
Through your angel Gabriel you brought a message of peace and joy to Mary.
Give to the world the joy and peace of salvation.
We pray for the peace of the world.
By the consent of your handmaid and the power of the Holy Spirit,
your Word came to dwell among us.
Open our hearts to receive Christ, as Mary the Virgin received him.
We pray for all in our lives.
You look with compassion on the lowly
and fill the hungry with good things.
Encourage the downhearted, help all those in need
and comfort those near to death.
We pray for the sick, the suffering, and the helpless.
To you, O God, nothing is impossible,
and you alone do marvellous things;
save us, and bring us on the last day
with all the faithful departed
into your glorious kingdom.
Grant, O Lord,
that by the riches of your grace
we may grow up into him who unites our life to yours,
even he who is the first-born of all creation,
your Son Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
(Plainsong Mode 2: https://tinyurl.com/yctqq8cf)DL
Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your Name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us today the bread of life;
and forgive us our sins
as we forgive those who sin against us.
Save us from the time of trial
and deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours,
now and for ever. Amen.
Pour your grace into our hearts, O Lord,
that we who have known
the incarnation of your Son Jesus Christ,
announced by an angel to the Virgin Mary,
may by his cross and passion
be brought to the glory of his resurrection;
who lives and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever. Amen. BCP79
Music: https://tinyurl.com/y9efvwm5
Let us bless the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God,
and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with us all. Amen. 2 Cor. 13:14
BCW Book of Common Worship, Presbyterian Church U.S.A., 1993.
CW:F Common Worship: Festivals, material from which is included here,
is copyright © The Archbishops’ Council 2008 and published by Church House Publishing
HWHM Holy Women, Holy Men © 2010 The Church Pension Fund.
1 Adam Bartlett, Simple English Propers; audio from https://musicasacra.com/additional-publications/sep-practice-videos/ ©
The main scripture readings are from the New Revised Standard Version, Updated Edition. Copyright © 2021 National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
BCP79 The Book of Common Prayer, The Episcopal Church
The traditional version of the psalms is from The Book of Common Prayer (1662). The modern versions of Psalm 119 are from Book of Common Prayer (2019) as recorded for the St Bernard Breviary https://www.bernardbreviary.com/chant-helps.
Musical links are usually either to artists’ albums posted on Spotify or to recordings made available at smallchurchmusic.com. Audio stripped from YouTube videos is footnoted accordingly above.
Compilation © 2026 Stephen T. Benner. All links worked at the time they were created, but I cannot accept responsibility for their content or any damage resulting from their use. The linked content is under the control of the respective content creators and is subject to change at any time. Any copyright texts included in this compilation are provided for non-commercial purposes related to study or worship. Please contact the respective copyright holders for permission to use the texts in other contexts.
Oremus 