November 28: Annunciation & Magnificat

First Week of Advent: Hope

November 28: Annunciation & Magnificat (Latin/Aramaic) - Links & Lyrics Below

Whenever I reflect about Advent, I am always reminded of the long Advent of the Jewish people and of Mary. Mary, as a daughter of Israel, waits with her people for the promised Messiah foretold by the prophets. Mary, as a chosen daughter of God, learns before everybody else of the coming of this Messiah because the archangel Gabriel appears to her and announces this great news. For nine months, Mary kept another Advent, until our Deliverer was born in Bethlehem.

There’s another advent in the life of someone close to Mary, her cousin Elizabeth. As a woman and wife, certainly Elizabeth longed to have a child of her own. But she was barren. But the God who can do all things, makes the impossible possible when John the Baptist is conceived and born. Mary learns of this from the angel and as a woman of charity she goes to help her aged cousin. In the meeting of these two women, two infants in the womb also meet, and John dances for joy in the presence of Jesus, just as David danced before the Ark of the Covenant. Greetings are exchanged, and then Mary praises God—My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord! Magnificat!

During this Advent season, our souls can proclaim the greatness of God, too, as we await Christ’s birth. We are filled with the joy and hope that this season offers. Mary’s prayer of thanksgiving and praise can become a model for us all the way to Christmas and beyond.


Father Edward Looney
St. Francis & St. Mary Catholic – Brussels

Link to Spotify Playlist

Link to YouTube Playlist

ANNUNCIATION - 

An angel went from God

to a town called Nazareth,

to a woman whose name was Mary.

The angel said to her,

"Rejoice oh highly Favored,

for God is with you.

You shall bear a child

and His name shall be Jesus

the Chosen One of God Most High."

And Mary said,

"I am the servant of my God.

I live to do your will."

MAGNIFICAT - 

My soul proclaims your greatness, O God,

and my spirit rejoices in you.

You have looked with love on your servant here,

and blessed me all my life through.

Great and mighty are you, O Holy One,

strong is your kindness evermore.

How you favor the weak and lowly one,

humbling the proud of heart!

You have cast the mighty down from their thrones,

and uplifted the humble of heart.

You have filled the hungry with wondrous things,

and left the wealthy no part.

Great and mighty are you, O Faithful One,

strong is your justice, strong your love,

as you promised to Sarah and Abraham,

kindness forevermore.

My soul proclaims your greatness, O God,

and my spirit rejoices in you.

You have looked with love on your servant here,

and blessed me all my life through.