What wondrous gift to come to such a maid, / And she unknown and all unknowing. / Yet, in that moment when the angel spoke, / The whole of human history changed its course / Because she answered yes, whilst / Pond’ring in her heart what it might mean. / How could she know the greatness of the news / Conveyed by Gabriel’s words? Not only / Hope of bliss in life to come, but in this world, / If they would only heed her son-to-be, / A transformation made from strife to peace, / Peace grounded on His justice, truth and love. / And only later would she understand / That henceforth all would call her blessed / For those great things that God had done to her.

JOHN MULHOLLAND
“THE HANDMAID OF THE LORD: A POEM FOR THE FEAST OF THE ANNUNCIATION”