Praise we the Lord this day,

This day so long foretold,

Whose promise shone with cheering ray

On waiting saints of old.

The prophet gave the sign

For faithful men to read;

A virgin born of David's line

Shall bear the promised Seed.

Ask not how this should be,

But worship and adore,

Like her whom heaven's majesty

Came down to shadow o'er.

Meekly she bowed her head

To hear the gracious word,

Mary, the pure and lowly maid,

The favored of the Lord.

Blessed shall be her name

In all the Church on earth,

Through whom that wondrous mercy came,

The incarnate Savior's birth.