Annunciation of the B. V. Mary

The first sad hours of shame
One promise bright bestow;
The woman's seed shall rise at length,
And bruise the deadly foe.

Where sin abounded once,
Grace shall abound much more;
Woman, the first gave ear to sin,
The great Redeemer bore.

Blest was her favored womb,
Happy her sacred breast;
The sojourn of the Lord of life,
And where His lips were prest.

But doubly blest are they
Who hear and keep His will;
In them by faith is Jesus formed,
And dwells within them still.

And still the gracious words
To each believer sound;
'Hail, highly-favored; with the Lord
Thou hast acceptance found.'