Movement 3 Gabriel and Mary

1 In Nazareth secluded
A Virgin soon to wed
This lowly one named Mary
To her was Gabriel led

2 Appearing without warning
With greetings from God’s throne
He spoke of God’s great favor
A call for her – alone

3 The God of all Creation
Has sent me here to you
Your heart and mind preparing
What He’s about to do

4 Don’t be afraid dear Mary
This message strange to hear
You’ll be a virgin mother
Tho how – will be unclear

5 Amazed her heart was troubled
What can this greeting be?
Thus Gabriel responded
You’re favored – you must see

6 The way ahead’s not easy
You’ll bear shame unrestrained
So few will understand it
A myst’ry unexplained

7 (At first not even Joseph
Could grasp it or conceive
Without an angel’s visit
E’en he would not believe)

8 What wonder I’m announcing
The Son of the Most High
The long-foretold Messiah
Will in your bosom lie

9 He’ll rule o’er Israel’s Kingdom
His reign will have no end
The Son of God, most holy
The flock of God He’ll tend

10 But sir, in wide amazement
She asked, how will this be?
I’ve known no man in marriage
The means I cannot see

11 How Gabriel smiled at Mary
In gentleness spoke low
God’s Spirit will accomplish
What none can really know

12 By power none can fathom
Beyond the human mind
Creating life within you
The God/man all divine

13 And to confirm my message
That it might be believed
Elizabeth the barren
Though ag-ed, has conceived

14 God’s power is not lacking
All’s possible to Him
And though you are a Virgin
In you, life will begin

15 Submitting as a servant
To all that she had heard
She said, so let it be sir
According to Your word

16 Then rushing to the country
Elizabeth to see
She came into the house there
Amazed in Holy glee

17 Elizabeth exclaiming
For joy – how can it be?
You, the mother of my Lord
Have come to visit me?

18 For when I heard your greeting
My baby stirred and leapt
For joy he could not help it
And I in gladness wept

19 Thus Mary broke out singing
To magnify her Lord
A hymn of praise and worship
For all He had outpoured

20 Returning home rejoicing
Soon after John was born
In faith she trusted fully
In Christ, would dawn God’s morn