The Annunciation
How pure, and frail, and white, the snowdrops shine!
Gather a garland bright for Mary’s shrine.
For born of winter snows, these fragile flowers
Are gifts to our fair Queen from Spring’s first hours.
For on this blessed day she knelt at prayer;
When lo! Before her shone an Angel fair.
“Hail, Mary!” thus he cried, with reverent fear:
She with sweet wondering eyes, marvelled to hear.
Be still, ye clouds of Heaven! Be silent, Earth!
And hear an Angel tell of Jesus’ birth,
While she, whom Gabriel hails as full of grace,
Listens with humble faith in her sweet face.
Be still—Pride, War, and Pomp, vain Hopes, vain Fears,
For now an Angel speaks, and Mary hears.
“Hail Mary!” lo, it rings through ages on,
“Hail Mary!” it shall sound, till Time is done.
“Hail Mary!” infant lips lisp it to-day;
“Hail Mary!” with faint smile the dying say.
“Hail Mary!” many a heart broken with grief,
In that angelic prayer has found relief.
And many a half-lost soul, when turned at bay,
With those triumphant words has won the day.
“Hail Mary, Queen of Heaven!” Let us repeat,
And place our snowdrop wreath here at her feet.
-Adelaide Anne Proctor
For Reflection:Mary’s “yes” to God brought Jesus Christ into the world. In what area of my life is God asking me to say “yes?” How can it bring Jesus into my situation or that of another?
