See Luke 1:26-38.
YOUNG was the woman,
an untouched maid, he took for mother;
it was with no man’s caresses of love
that the bride grew great with child.
Never then, nor since, in this world
was any woman’s reward its equal;
it was Mystery, the Master’s secret.
All spiritual grace spread the earth;
at his coming many things long cloaked in darkness
were brought to light by the Lord of life:
ancient lore, the lays of prophets;
for the Creator unlocks the secrets of every prophecy
through hearts ready to praise his name.
“Curiosity makes you ask how I kept my maidenhood,
my inward hold, yet became mother
of the Measurer’s mighty Son. To that mystery
no man is party; yet Christ made known
that in David’s dear kinswoman
Eve’s offence is all effaced,
The curse lifted, the lowlier sex exalted.
Hope now springs that endless bliss awaits
both man and woman, in the world to come,
far above in angel-joy, with the Father of Truth.”
Précis
Anglo-Saxon poet Cynewulf reminds us that Mary was chosen by God to be his mother even though she remained a virgin throughout. Although this is a mystery, he says, the coming of Christ itself throws light on many baffling Old Testament prophecies, and the honour paid to Mary clearly proves that women are the equal of men in God’s eyes. (60 / 60 words)