“He hath put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree. He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich he hath sent empty away.”—Luke 1:52-53

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Look into the poorest eyes,

And find the hidden queen.

This pool of liquid light reveals

The depth of the Red Sea,

And she will lead us through the waves,

The first upon dry ground.

~

Find the highly favored one,

Work-chafed, oppression’s child,

Whose people felt the stinging lash

Yet heard the Word of God.

And she has kept her ears attuned

To whispers on the wind.

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Humble as the dust of earth,

Yet noble as the stars,

Her greeting is a hymn of grace

That brings down Jericho.

The serpent will be slain through her,

The purest among swords.

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Vessel of the Breath of God,

Dew of manna’s morn,

She fills our hungry bellies

With bounteous Living Bread.

The mighty now are dispossessed

By this desert flower.

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Her soul, as clear as mirror glass,

Reflects the Lord of Hosts;

Her voice, like David’s fabled lyre,

A queen’s inheritance.

O Rarest of the Human Race,

Bear the Saving Fruit!

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Dove of Ark and Olive Branch,

We burn our candles pale,

For long’s the night of wanderers

And you must guide us home.

We beg you, Daughter of the Dawn:

Lead us to the Light!