Angel

Monday
Spent most of the day at home today, getting ready for leaving tomorrow to spend Christmas and New Year with family in England. I didn't get an outdoor shot, so instead took a few shots of ornaments on our Christmas tree. The following is one of my favorite carols about angels, and takes me back to our big carol services that our grammar school used to do, to which parents and families were invited, and where in addition to the carols sung by everyone, each year would sing their own carol, and there would be a carol sung in each language that was studied in school - so I would sing in the French and German carol.

1 The Angel Gabriel from heaven came,
his wings as drifted snow, his eyes as flame;
'All hail,' said he, 'thou lowly maiden Mary,
most highly favoured lady.'
Gloria!
2 'For known a blessèd Mother thou shalt be,
all generations laud and honour thee,
thy son shall be Emmanuel, by seers foretold;
most highly favoured lady.'
Gloria!
3 Then gentle Mary meekly bowed her head,
'To me be as it pleaseth God,' she said,
'My soul shall laud and magnify his holy name':
most highly favoured lady.
Gloria!
4 Of her, Emmanuel, the Christ was born
in Bethlehem, all on a Christmas mom,
and Christian folk throughout the world will ever say
'Most highly favoured lady.'
Gloria!