This section of the poem offers two images of Mary, each extraordinary in its own way. Elsewhere among the Advent Lyrics, Mary is the subject of ‘O virgo virginum’ and of the dialogue which begins ‘O Joseph’; the latter brings to life the tension and pain in the story of her child-bearing, dramatising the anguished thoughts of a couple who have had a world-changing miracle erupt in the middle of their marriage. That’s an emotional, intimate conversation – the Incarnation as personal human drama.

This poem gives us a very different view of Mary. Here she is a queen, and on a cosmic scale – ruler of the forces of heaven, earth, and hell. God and Mary are described in language and tropes drawn from Anglo-Saxon heroic poetry: they are the brytta and his bryd, the generous ring-giving lord and his resolute queen. Described thus, they might easily be Hrothgar and Wealhtheow in Beowulf, or even Cnut and Emma. Like many another woman in Anglo-Saxon poetry, Mary is a bride ‘adorned with rings’ (beaga hroden), but this bride is far from a passive figure: she is courageous and determined (þristhycgende, ‘steadfast in mind’). This poem frames her situation in a distinctive way, presenting it as if she has decided to undertake a diplomatic mission from earth to heaven. Though literally this decision is made when she accepts Gabriel’s message to her, the poem describes it as if she set out to travel on a journey to unite herself with God…

Read it all.

'You are the door in the wall…
Intercede for us now, bold in your words,
that he may not allow us any longer
to go astray in this deadly valley.'

An Anglo-Saxon Advent poem to Mary, queen of three realms and door in the wall between the worlds https://t.co/kg1YIeygui pic.twitter.com/8I0uwMSaOQ

— Eleanor Parker (@ClerkofOxford) December 24, 2023

Stir up your power, O Lord, and with great might come among us; and as we are sorely hindered by our sins from running the race that is set before us, let your bountiful grace and mercy speedily help and deliver us; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be honor and glory, now and for ever. Amen.

Morning everyone hope you are well. It's wet and murky in the Lakes, which is typical for this time of the year. Still beautiful in its own way. The old miners cottages at Coniston Coppermines leading to Coniston Old Man. Have a great day. #LakeDistrict @keswickbootco pic.twitter.com/55LWfPDqaR

— Rod Hutchinson (@lakesrhino) December 24, 2023

O Christ our God, who wilt come to judge the world in the manhood which thou hast assumed: We pray thee to sanctify us wholly, that in the day of thy coming we may be raised up to live and reign with thee for ever.

Breezy morning in Oxford made for some wonderful cloud swirls over @bodleianlibs @UniofOxford ☁️ pic.twitter.com/XNDgoxlGR6

— Dr. Katharine Fellows (@KatieFellows1) December 22, 2023

O Lord Jesus Christ, before whose judgment-seat we must all appear and give account of the things done in the body: Grant, we beseech thee, that when the books are opened in that day, the faces of thy servants may not be ashamed; through thy merits, O blessed Saviour, who livest and reignest with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, world without end.

A little bit of springtime on our shortest day. Today we turn towards the light. pic.twitter.com/rCFwbL3tZc

— 🌳Tree-lined🌳lanes🌳 (@LanesTree) December 21, 2023

O Heavenly Father, whose most dearly beloved Son has come once to save the world, and will come again to judge the world: Help us, we pray thee, to watch like servants who wait for the coming of their lord. May we abound in hope through the power of the Holy Ghost; and, having this hope, may we purify ourselves by thy grace, even as Christ is pure. Grant this, O Father, for his sake and for the glory of thy holy name.

es couleurs de ce matin #Antibes pic.twitter.com/EK6JV9RBzc

— Brigitte B ♡♡ (@BrigitteB55) December 20, 2023

O Lord Jesus Christ, you sent your messengers the prophets to preach repentance and prepare the way for our salvation: Grant that the ministers and stewards of your mysteries may likewise make ready your way, by turning the hearts of the disobedient toward the wisdom of the just, that at your second coming to judge the world, we may be found a people acceptable in your sight; for with the Father and the Holy Spirit you live and reign, one God, now and for ever.  Amen.

Guten Morgen ☕️❤️ wünsche euch einen ruhigen und friedlichen 3. Adventssonntag 🌲🎶🌷
⭐️ Wir sagen euch an den lieben Advent. Sehet, die dritte Kerze brennt……. ⭐️ pic.twitter.com/A4EyJscSw0

— Renate Kleine (@RenateKleine) December 17, 2023

Almighty and most merciful God, who has given the Bible to be the revelation of thy great love to man, and of thy power and will to save him: Grant that our study of it may not be made vain by the callousness or the carelessness of our hearts, but that by it we may be confirmed in penitence, lifted to hope, made strong for service, and, above all, filled with true knowledge of thee and of thy Son Jesus Christ.

A cold Haworth. pic.twitter.com/wBknPkY1fp

— Dave Z Photography (@DaveZ_uk) December 15, 2023

O Lord God, heavenly Father, Who didst give up Thine only-begotten Son into grief and sorrow, that we might have peace through Him: grant us so surely to found our faith upon Him alone that we may have peace in our souls. Quicken us with Thy Word; grant already here on earth the peace which is a foretaste of the rest that remaineth for Thy people. And while the cares and tumults of this life beset us round about, guide us in all our undertakings by Thy Holy Spirit, that we may abide in Thy peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

–Frederick B. Macnutt, The prayer manual for private devotions or public use on divers occasions: Compiled from all sources ancient, medieval, and modern (A.R. Mowbray, 1951)

‘Machlud Pwllheli’ 😁🔥☀️
‘Pwllheli Sunset’ 😁🔥☀️@sixteenthCgirl @AledHall @hooson21 @ItsYourWales @Ruth_ITV @bootlegger1974 @StormHour @ThePhotoHour @sianharries_ @HCynwal @EleriSion @LouiseTalks @S4Ctywydd @DerekTheWeather @NickyZJohn @hawley_caroline pic.twitter.com/IC2VsRs3Fw

— Llelo Gruffudd (@Llelo2801) December 14, 2023

All through this day, O Lord, may I touch as many lives as Thou wouldst have me touch for Thee; and those whom I touch do Thou with Thy Holy Spirit quicken, whether by the word I speak, the letter I write, the prayer I breathe, or the life I live.

–Frederick B. Macnutt, The prayer manual for private devotions or public use on divers occasions: Compiled from all sources ancient, medieval, and modern (A.R. Mowbray, 1951)

Snel stromend water in het avondlicht. Fijne woensdag😀 #natuur #landschap #winter #ElstUt #Elsterbuitenwaard #Nederrijn #hoogwater #zonsondergang #mooieluchten pic.twitter.com/lM9B9UcyM3

— Tjark Dieterman (@DietermanTjark) December 13, 2023

Blessed Lord, who caused all Holy Scriptures to be written for our learning: Grant us so to hear them, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them, that by patience and the comfort of your holy Word we may embrace and ever hold fast the blessed hope of everlasting life, which you have given us in our Savior Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.  Amen.

Chasing Dawn pic.twitter.com/4kfddjvwWd

— Darius Aniunas (@dariusaniunas) December 10, 2023

Make us, we beseech thee, O Lord our God, watchful and heedful in awaiting the coming of thy Son Christ our Lord; that when he shall come and knock, he shall find us not sleeping in sin, but awake and rejoicing in his praises; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord.

Snowing. Minus 5C. Enjoy your weekend❄️❄️💕😊🦊🐰 pic.twitter.com/TFetJp0M76

— Anne Grete Hagby (@AHagby) December 9, 2023

Grant, O Almighty God, that as thy blessed Son Jesus Christ at his first advent came to seek and to save that which was lost, so at his second and glorious appearing he may find in us the fruits of the redemption which he wrought; who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God world without end.

Morning everyone hope you are well. Pre rain (which has washed away most of the snow). Dawn breaking over Keswick with Derwentwater and Catbells as the backdrop. Have a great day.
#lakedistrict @keswickbootco pic.twitter.com/ABJNKZ1x6p

— Rod Hutchinson (@lakesrhino) December 8, 2023

O God, Father of mercies, who didst so love the world that thou didst give thine only begotten Son to take our nature upon him for us men and for our salvation: Grant to us who by his first coming have been called into thy kingdom of grace, that we may always abide in him, and be found watching and ready when he shall come again to call us to thy kingdom of glory; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord.

Good morning 🌍🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿💙 Have a great Thursday all you amazing people 🫶 leave you with this capture from Loch Chon of Scotland 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿💙🫶🥰 #art #Scotland #goodmorning #Reflection #photooftheday @VisitScotland @StormHour @ThePhotoHour pic.twitter.com/kqvnfKTZGV

— Dr.P_78Glasgow (@AbhaPaulina) December 7, 2023

Keep us, O Lord, while we tarry on this earth, in a serious seeking after thee, and in an affectionate walking with thee, every day of our lives; that when thou comest, we may be found not hiding our talent, nor serving the flesh, nor yet asleep with our lamp unfurnished, but waiting and longing for our Lord, our glorious God for ever and ever.

A lovely winter day#archivephoto #malmö #photofrommyheart pic.twitter.com/6HOuMqj8e5

— Lisa von Steijern🇸🇪 (@LisavonSteijern) December 6, 2023

And to every person their last day, too, comes nearer and nearer; and the common judgement daily approaches, in which each individual will receive what they merited in the bodily life, be it good or ill. Let us therefore flee every sin, and do good according to our ability – lest when we are willing we do not have the power, and pray for more time when death compels us to depart. “The night is passed, and the day approaches.” Here the apostle makes night stand for the old ignorance which reigned throughout all the world before Christ’s coming; but he shook off that erring ignorance by the enlightening of his presence, just as the bright day drives away the shadowy darkness of the black night. The devil is also called the night, and Christ the day – he who mercifully freed us from the darkness of the devil and gave us the light of knowledge and truth. “Let us cast away the works of darkness, and be clothed with the weapons of light, so that we may walk honourably in the day.” Let us cast away by confession and penitence the sins of the past, and let us from now on steadfastly withstand the temptings of the devil, just as the same apostle urged his followers in another place, “Withstand the devil, and he will fly from you; draw near to God, and he will draw near to you.” The weapons of light are the works of righteousness and truth. We should be clothed with those weapons, so that we may walk honourably in the day. Just as the light of day prevents people from doing what the night allows, so the knowledge of truth, that is, the thought of the will of our Lord, will not allow us to commit sins…

Read it all.

'Þeos tid oð midne winter is gecweden Adventus Domini, þæt is, Drihtnes tocyme.' (This season up to midwinter is called Adventus Domini, that is, 'the coming of the Lord'.)

An Anglo-Saxon sermon for the First Sunday of Advent: https://t.co/tcBt7L0qfO pic.twitter.com/yTxlcHd7PL

— Eleanor Parker (@ClerkofOxford) December 3, 2023

O Lord Jesus Christ, who at thy first coming didst warn us to prepare for the day when thou shalt come to be our judge: Mercifully grant that being awake from the sleep of sin, we may always be watching and intent upon the work thou hast given us to do; who livest and reignest with the Father and the Holy Spirit, ever one God, world without end.

From the archives #RoseADay
5th Dec #Advent pic.twitter.com/6zsRXrp6MQ

— Rebecca (@rebecca5key) December 5, 2023

Thou who with thine own mouth hast avouched that at midnight, at an hour when we are not aware, the Bridegroom shall come: Grant that the cry, The Bridegroom cometh, may sound evermore in our ears, that so we be never unprepared to meet him, our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

Thaw In Progress. 3°C. Sheep in numbers. ( this one was taken yesterday afternoon) pic.twitter.com/3rzEdIvsf9

— Yorkshire Wolds Weather (@WeatherWolds) December 4, 2023

Almighty God,
give us grace to cast away the works of darkness
and to put on the armour of light,
now in the time of this mortal life,
in which your Son Jesus Christ came to us in great humility;
that on the last day,
when he shall come again in his glorious majesty
to judge the living and the dead,
we may rise to the life immortal;
through him who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
Amen.

'The Lord will reign for ever,
thy God, O Zion, to all generations.
Praise the Lord!' Ps. 146:10 #goodmorning #scripture #psalms #oldtestament #advent #advent2023 pic.twitter.com/HXNEvYNkvA

— Kendall Harmon (@KendallHarmon6) December 3, 2023

Most worthy art Thou, O good and gracious God, of all praise, even for Thine own sake which exceedeth all things in holiness. By Thee only we are hallowed and made holy. As our duty continually bids us, we praise Thee for our glorious redemption, purchased for us in Thy dearly beloved Son, Jesus Christ. Give us therefore the Holy Spirit to govern us. And grant that all things that breathe with life may praise Thee; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord, Who reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, one God, for ever and ever.

–Frederick B. Macnutt, The prayer manual for private devotions or public use on divers occasions: Compiled from all sources ancient, medieval, and modern (A.R. Mowbray, 1951)

❤️🤍💚 Biarritz
Veronique Derouet 12/2022#biarritz #pyreneesatlantiques #autumn #paysbasque #basquecountry #ocean #atlanticocean @ThePhotoHour @StormHour pic.twitter.com/pWUwuPppky

— Veronique Derouet (@vederouet) December 23, 2022

Advent is a time of preparation and waiting. It’s a time when we prepare to celebrate that world changing moment when Jesus Christ, God Himself burst into human history.

And that gave birth to a new era in history. One where we look forward to the completion of a kingdom of truth and justice and peace and light – God’s Kingdom raining on earth when Jesus returns.

We all need this message, we all need to prepare. And we all need it especially at a time when round the world so many are caught up in devastation and war and poverty and struggle. And that’s why this evening we think of Ukraine.

As the Russian invasion continues and the chaos and the evil that has been released – all the forces of hell – are visited on that courageous people.

Recently, Bishop Robert and I and some others visited the Anglican community there, as well as Christians from other churches. It was a tiny gesture of solidarity with a suffering yet courageous people.

It was about saying to them, you’re not forgotten. We pray for you. We support you. We stand with you, we’ll advocate for you.

Read it all.

On my recent trip to Ukraine I saw the devastating impact of the invasion – and the courage of its people. Join with Christians from across Europe for an Advent prayer service for peace in Ukraine, hosted at 5.30pm this evening by the @DioceseinEuropehttps://t.co/LvOs0G3bmU pic.twitter.com/4q45Kmd6ui

— Archbishop of Canterbury (@JustinWelby) December 21, 2022

O God, who didst promise that thy glory should be revealed, and that all flesh should see it together: Stir up our hearts, we beseech thee, to prepare the way of thine only begotten Son; and pour out upon us thy loving kindness, that we who are afflicted by reason of our sins may be refreshed by the coming of our Saviour, and may behold his glory; who with thee and the Holy Spirit liveth and reigneth one God, world without end.

Beautiful 🧡🏔️ pic.twitter.com/fj3tPjde7p

— Aleksandar Mitrovic (@Aleksan52094351) December 22, 2022

Grant, we beseech thee, Almighty God, that the solemn feast of our redemption which is near at hand, may help us both in this present life, and further us towards the attaining of thine eternal joy in that which is to come; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

–Prayers for the Christian Year (SCM, 1964)

Starting our first day of winter with this Atlantic ocean sunrise. Nauset beach, Orleans, Cape Cod. #sunrise #capecod #StormHour pic.twitter.com/k9Ef4ixFm7

— Darius Aniunas (@dariusaniunas) December 21, 2022

Almighty Father, whose blessed Son at his coming amongst us brought redemption unto his people, and peace to men of goodwill: Grant that, when he shall come again in glory to judge the world and to make all things new, we may be found ready to receive him, and enter into his joy; through the same our Lord Jesus Christ.

Another #Christmas card scene for your photo today, with the first golden light of a frosty winter's day over Widecombe in the Moor, #Dartmoor…

Shot notes: 1-125 sec at f – 2.8 ISO 100 #tuesdayvibe #ThePhotoHour #StormHour #festiveseason pic.twitter.com/QT4gTXOvPJ

— Gary Holpin | Photography (@GaryHolpin) December 20, 2022

Lord God Almighty, King of glory and love eternal, worthy art thou at all times to receive adoration, praise, and blessing; but especially at this time do we praise thee for the sending of thy Son our Saviour Jesus Christ, for whom our hearts do wait, and to whom, with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, be honour and dominion, now and for ever.

–Prayers for the Christian Year (SCM, 1964)

"Impressionistic Lake View"#AlmostHeaven #WestVirginia #Highlands #ThePhotoHour pic.twitter.com/nAb86NpsLF

— Thomas R Fletcher (@ThomasRFletcher) December 19, 2022

Stir up your power, O Lord, and with great might come among us; and as we are sorely hindered by our sins from running the race that is set before us, let your bountiful grace and mercy speedily help and deliver us; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be honor and glory, now and for ever.

@churchofengland This is to give good notice that on Sunday #18thDecember we have #Advent4 10h30 Parish Mass at #StEdmund #downhammarket and 11h00 #CarolService at #StMary’s #stradsett, #norfolk.
All welcome! pic.twitter.com/HcoeOr4y3M

— Fr.James Mather FRSA #StandWithUkraine #LoveENO (@tigerrector) November 22, 2022

Heavenly Father, grant us by your Spirit to know how it is full time now for us to wake from sleep, that we may cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light; give us grace to conduct ourselves becomingly as in the day, that when our Lord Jesus Christ comes in glory we may without shame our fear rejoice to behold his appearing. KSH

Saturday morning #StormHour #Scotland #Aberdeenshire #Deepfreeze #WINTER pic.twitter.com/eYPByhEpRb

— (@greg_phtb) December 17, 2022

O Almighty Father, fountain of light and salvation, we adore thine infinite goodness in sending thy only begotten Son into the world that, believing in him, we may not perish but have everlasting life; and we pray thee that, through the grace of his first advent to save the world, we may be made ready to meet him at his second advent to judge the world; through the same thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord.

A view overlooking the Radcliffe Camera and University Church from Oriel's Island Site on a frosty morning❄️ pic.twitter.com/PFRLnnTilX

— Oriel College (@OrielOxford) December 16, 2022

O Christ our God, who wilt come to judge the world in the manhood which thou hast assumed: We pray thee to sanctify us wholly, that in the day of thy coming we may be raised up to live and reign with thee for ever.

Bridging the gap- Ballachulish bridge crossing the narrows at Loch Leven-have a great day, friends #ScotlandisNow #StormHour #photography #photooftheday #landscape #OutAndAboutScotland #landscapephotography @VisitScotland @ScotsMagazine #friends #PhotoHour #stvsnaps #beautiful pic.twitter.com/7ELaCf46zW

— Mike Wood (@MikeMikwd) December 15, 2022

O Lord our God, in whose hands is the issue of all things, and who requirest from thy stewards not success but faithfulness: Give us such faith in thee and in thy sure purposes, that we measure not our lives by what we have done or failed to do, but by our obedience to thy holy will; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

–Daily Prayer, Eric Milner-White and G. W. Briggs, eds. (London: Penguin Books 1959 edition of the 1941 original)

The day started at -4℃ and is slowly climbing to -1℃! Beautiful winter sunshine illuminating Lincoln Cathedral this morning 🙂
❄️Lincoln UK – 14th Dec 2022❄️@ThePhotoHour @StormHour @bbcweather
#WinterWonderland #Lincolnshire pic.twitter.com/FYQschsLDB

— The Creative Photographer (@Cloudwatcher32) December 14, 2022

O God, who didst send thy messengers and prophets to prepare the way of thy Son before him: Grant that our Lord when he cometh may find in us a dwelling prepared for himself; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord, who came to take our nature upon him that he might bring many sons unto glory, and now with thee and the Holy Spirit liveth and reigneth, ever one God, world without end.

–A New Prayer Book (London: Oxford University Press 1923)

"December Country Road"#Snow #AlmostHeaven #WestVirginia #Highlands #SnowHour #ThePhotoHour pic.twitter.com/GfmiXvyuK9

— Thomas R Fletcher (@ThomasRFletcher) December 13, 2022