Choral music appreciation 3

To share a piece I listened to in church today. It was a well designed service and I drew comfort from it. The piece for the focus today speaks of Mary accepting the mssion that God has called her: to bear the Son of God, Jesus Christ. The piece by Herbert Howells (1892-1983), Magnificat (Collegium Regale),

tells of the joy and ecstacy that Mary experienced knowing that God has valued her humility.

My soul doth magnify the Lord: and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour. For he hath regarded the lowliness of his handmaiden. For behold, forhenceforth all generations shall call me blessed. For he that is mighty hath magnified me: and holy is his Name. And his mercy is on them that fear hm througout all generations. He hath shewn strength with his arm:

he hath sacttered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. He hath put down the mighty from their seat: and hath exalted the humble and meek.

He hath filled the hungry with good things: and the rich he hath sent empty away. He rememb'ring his mercy hath holpen his servant Israel:

as he promised to our forefathers. Abraham and his seed, for ever. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son: and to the Holy Chost; as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be: world without end. Amen.

In this season of Advent, when the world-transforming event of God Become Man was to happen, we are reminded of people in suffering, in need, and who are anxious. The Son of God came so that he could bear our burdens and iniquities individually and corporately. May the peace of God be with us all.