Magnificat!

I love the story of the Annunciation – the angel coming to tell Mary she would be the mother of God’s son. When Steph and I visited Florence, in 2002, we saw many great paintings interpreting this theme [top to bottom 1333 - Martini & Menni; 1430 - Fra Angelico  1489- Botticelli; 1470 – Leonardo da Vinci]

Timothy Dudley Smith rewrote Mary’s Song – the Magnificat – and produced a hymn which has become very popular in many churches. It was one of my choices for the service I am taking tonight in Boscombe [theme ; Psalm 96] I’ve been humming it all week.

  Tell out, my soul, the greatness of the Lord!
Unnumbered blessings give my spirit voice;
tender to me the promise of his word;
in God my Saviour shall my heart rejoice.
  Tell out, my soul, the greatness of his Name!
Make known his might, the deeds his arm has done;
his mercy sure, from age to age to same;
his holy Name--the Lord, the Mighty One.
  Tell out, my soul, the greatness of his might!
Powers and dominions lay their glory by.
Proud hearts and stubborn wills are put to flight,
the hungry fed, the humble lifted high.
  Tell out, my soul, the glories of his word!
Firm is his promise, and his mercy sure.
Tell out, my soul, the greatness of the Lord
to children's children and for evermore!