MARY
The Mother of Jesus
ORATORIO
LIBRETTO. a working document,
being composed by Aaron Garber
Richard Bansemer

Part 1 – Gabriel visits Mary, and Mary responds (Luke 1:26-38)

1. “Be not afraid” Luke 1:26-38
Gabriel
Be not afraid, Mary.
The Lord knows your name, Mary.
The news is good,
For God is good.
Be not afraid, Mary.

My name is Gabriel, Mary.
I’m sent from God to say:
The news is good,
For God is good,
Be not afraid, Mary.

The Lord is with you, Mary.
You are His favored one.
God’s chosen you
To bear His Son,
Be not afraid, Mary.

You will conceive, Mary;
A son in your womb, Mary.
We know its hard
To be God’s love.
Be not afraid, Mary.

You will name him Jesus, Mary.
He will be God’s only Son.
He will be great,
The Son Most High,
Be not afraid, Mary.

His Kingdom will have no end,
O’er Jacob’s house he will reign.
Forever and ever
Will be his rule.
Be not afraid, Mary.

You have the heart that God needs;
You can bear all that will be sent.
For God will love you
Like his own Son.
Be not afraid, Mary.

Choir   (a repeat of two primary verses above)
You have the heart that God needs;
You can bear all that will be sent.
For God will love you
Like His own Son.
Be not afraid, Mary.
 
You will name him Jesus, Mary.
He will be God’s only Son.
He will be great,
The Son Most High;
Be not afraid, Mary.

Mary (humbly)
How can this be, a virgin I am?
I’ve known no man to this day.
He may be great,
The Son Most High,
But I’m mere mortal named Mary.

Gabriel
The Holy Ghost will visit you,
God the Father on High will come.
Your child is God’s,
His Only son.
And you, His chosen one. (or “You are His chosen one)

Elizabeth in her old age
Also will (soon) bear a son. (any words in parenthesis may be omitted)
Zechariah only
Knows his name,
God says: “Their barrenness is done.”

For nothing is impossible with God. (this phrase should be repeated several
times)

Choir, Gabriel and Mary
Nothing is impossible with God.
Even the barren place can bloom.
Virgins conceive
And births occur.
Nothing is impossible with God.

Mary (joyfully…with some vim and vigor)
I am the servant of the Lord.
I trust His every word.
Therefore let it be
According to your Word.
Here am I, the handmaid of the Lord.

Choir (boldly, also with pep)
This woman of God is a daring one,
Willing to risk her very life.
Day by day,
Hour by hour
Knowing not what the future brings.

Her tears and joys made into song.
Will be sung throughout the years.
And mysteries deep,
Her heart will seek.
Until her infant son becomes her Lord.
Until her infant son becomes her Lord!

2. Angels sent by the might of God
 (a strong song of “invasion”upon the earth)
Choir
Angels sent by the might of God
Wing to earth, and their toes touch sod.
Each has an army of untold hosts
Coming with the news that Satan fears most:
“God’s coming, God’s coming on strong!
Listen, listen you can hear the song!
“Jesus is my very own Son;
Your work is ending, his is only begun.””

Tenors (singing as angels)
Zechariah, priest of God,
To you will be born a son.
But because you doubt, you are struck mute,
Until you name him “John.”
Basses (singing as angels)
“Joseph asleep, see me here,
I am not just a dream.
Three times I’ve come to tell you this:
Jesus is (far) more than he seems.
“Fear not to take Mary as your wife,
Fear not for your wounded pride.
Give thanks to God who has chosen you
To be His son’s fatherly guide.”

Choir
Angels sent by the might of God
Wing to earth, and their toes touch sod.
Each has an army of untold hosts
Coming with the news that Satan fears most:
God’s coming, God’s coming on strong!
Listen, listen you can hear the song!
“Jesus is my very own Son;
Your work is ending, his is only begun.

3. “Blessed are you” Luke 1:39-45
Elizabeth (ecstatically happy)
Blessed are you among women,
Blessed am I to know you.
Mary, the mother of God’s only son,
Blessed be the fruit of your womb.”

Blessed are you among women,
The child in my womb leaps for joy
The sound of your greeting is full of grace;
You are the mother of God.

Blessed are you among women,
A blessing you bring to the world.
You believed what the angel spoke,
Your son brings mercies untold.

Blessed are you among women.
Shortly the birth pangs will come.
God is coming upon this earth:
Coming in the form of your Son.

4. “My soul is magnified” Luke 1:46-55

Mary
My soul is magnified by your sweet breath within.
My spirit sings to you, O God of love.
You open up my heart, you work mysteriously,
And joy comes flowing in.

My lowliness you see as pleasing comeliness.
For me you’ve done great things; I know not why.
I sense your love in me, your saving joy to be,
And Holy is his name.

You lift the lowly up, the proud are falling down,
The powerful removed from lofty thrones.
The hungry get their fill, the rich are hungry still,
For mercy is your gift.

All generations now, will call me Blessed One.
You set apart my life for holy work.
In me the humble see that you use us to be
The strength of your right arm.

You promised Abraham, with Sarah by his side,
A multitude of kin, like stars above.
And now to me you come. I say, “Let it be done.
I’ll bear your only Son.”

“I say let it be done. I’ll bear your only Son.”

5. “Glory to God in the heavens” Luke 2:8-20

Choir (joyfully singing for the angels to the shepherds)

“Glory to God in the heavens
And peace to God’s people on earth.”

Be not afraid brave shepherds;
Hear of God’s holy birth.
In Bethlehem in swaddling clothes
You’ll find God’s new born king.
Come—see—God’s only Son
Lift up your voices and sing.

“Glory to God in the heavens
And peace to God’s people on earth.”

Mary, Joseph and Jesus,
Come, join their family with mirth.
Up, make haste to the manger straw,
In the city of David the King.
Gather around and marvel,
Lift up your voices and sing.

“Glory to God in the heavens
And peace to God’s people on earth.”

Angels are moving about the earth
A glorious message to bring.
Back to their fields the shepherds rejoice
With the news of God’s new born king.
Mary ponders this wonderful night
With Joseph and angels she sings:

“Glory to God in the heavens
And peace to God’s people on earth.”
(These last two lines may be expanded as a round with the choir, Mary and Joseph)


6. “Baby dimples”
Manger Lullaby (Lullaby tune to be sung at the close of crucifixion, and after the resurrection, with the same tune but with other words)
 
Mary
Baby dimples, four each hand,
Soft as moonlight on the land.
Fingers grasping for my own,
Gift from God, a holy loan.

How I love you, gift divine,
Dare I say that you are mine?
Go to sleep now, trust my touch.
You are loved so very much.

As I rock you in my arms,
God protect us from all harm.
Holy moment full of grace
Light shines from your lovely face.


7. “They named him Jesus” Luke 2:21

Choir (Happily)
They named him Jesus eight days after birth
Two turtledoves were offered up in (holy) mirth.
Guided by the Spirit, Simeon declared:
“This is Messiah, God Himself is here.”
Jesus, Jesus, God’s anointed son.

Simeon (the Choir may sing the single of each stanza)

Mary, Joseph, I am Simeon. speaking to Mary and Joseph
I’ve been promised to see God’s only Son.
Hundreds of children come my way each day,
Only you have brought the child of God’s Way.

Jesus, Jesus, God’s own flesh and blood.  (Choir)

“Master, dismiss me, at last my call is done. (prayerfully, but joyfully too)
My eyes have seen your ever-loving son!     (this, of course, is the Nunc Dimittis)
My voice declares, salvation work begun.
Light for (the) Gentiles, (the) joy of Israel.”

Jesus, Jesus, God’s anointed son. (Choir)

Mary, O Mary, your child is meant to be speaking only to Mary
A measure of love this world has never seen.
True hearts will wish to do His holy will,
But many will rise and seek to do him ill.

Jesus, Jesus, God’s anointed son. (Choir)

Mary, O Mary, I must warn you true, (the music becomes very somber,
A spear will pierce, your aching soul right through. (very slowly)
Mary, the sword will cut your heart in two,
When your son becomes your Messiah too.

Mary, Mary, Messiah is the mission. (Choir)

Choir (Singing for Anna the prophet)
Anna, the prophet, (for) eighty-four long years, (Luke 2:36-38)
Serving and fasting, sings out her prayer:
Son bearer, God bearer, hold Messiah near.
The one you bear will conquer all fear.”
(Repeat phrases as desired)

8. Wise men
Choir
Wise men, Mary, Joseph and Jesus, (Men)
Bright star above shines down on the crèche.
Wicked Herod pretends to seek him;
Trouble brewing for God in flesh.
 
But it was joy, joy, overwhelming joy (Women)
When the sages found the king.
With their gifts so rare they knelt before the boy
And their hearts could only sing:

Glory be to God on high (Full chorus)
Who has led us by a star.
We see Messiah in a manger lie,
We who have come so far.

Joseph, take gold, Jesus is God’s king; (Men)
Frankincense, because he is high priest.
Mary, take myrrh, for his day of sacrifice, (very slowly) (Women)
Lamb of God sent to the very least.

But it was joy, joy, overwhelming joy (Women)
When the sages found the king.
With their gifts so rare they knelt before the boy
And their hearts could only sing:

Glory be to God on high (Full chorus)
Who has led us by a star.
We see Messiah in a manger lie,
We who have come so far.

9. “First of three dreams” (Flight into Egypt) Matt 2:13

Chorus
First of three dreams wake Joseph from sleep,
As Gabriel makes his rounds.
He speaks to those who know God is near,
Gives courage to face all fears.

Gabriel
“Flee to Egypt, flee in haste,
Herod is on the hunt.
He seeks Jesus’ blood on his sword.
And vows “There will be no Lord.”

Choir (a quick pace)
Hairs on end and wet with fear
Mary, Joseph, Jesus dear.
Running (on) down to Egypt land;
(As) Herod lifts his evil hand.

Metal swords and shields all clang    (a dramatic clashing of cymbals)
“Death to the Innocents” Satan sang. (this verse needs to be elongated   
Drawn swords from the soldiers swing, to show the horror of the event)
Herod hunts for the newborn King.

Hear the grief of mother’s loss, (very slowly)
Once proud fathers wail.
Innocent children die on the sword,
Evil would kill God’s Word.  

God said through Jeremiah: (Jeremiah 31:15)
A voice (was) heard in Ramah,
Lamentation and sadness deep;
Rachel is weeping for children.
She cannot be comforted
For her children are no more.
Comfortless.
Because her children are no more. (a death-like quiet at the end)


10. What has become of our dream?
 
Mary and Joseph (in Egypt, reflecting upon their life and lost dreams)
What has become of our dream? (These first two stanza may easily be elongated)
Were the angel voices real?
It’s just we three in a foreign land.
Grief untold in our own homeland. (a reference to the slaughter)

O God, what now? Will we ever return?
How can hate so rule the world?
Jesus so sweet, Jesus so mild,
Where is your loving peace? (transition from worried query to strong response)

Gabriel
Out of Egypt God calls his son.
God’s loving peace, still in your arms,      
Herod’s dead, now Israel’s safe. (Matthew 2:15-2nd dream)
Make Nazareth your home. (Matthew 2:22, 23-3rd dream)

Mary and Joseph
What has become of our dream?
The angel voices were real!     (with excitement…repeat line, especially
God above, so full of love       the words, “real, so real).
Protecting the only Son.

11. Young Jesus is lost, have your heard?
Chorus
Young Jesus is lost(!) have you heard?
Mary and Joseph (are) fraught with fear,
Calling and searching everywhere,    (Perhaps sopranos calling “Jesus, Jesus”)
To Jerusalem (they) return. 

Twelve grand years have passed since his birth,
After three fretful days they find him (Perhaps basses can sing, “Hungry to
Sitting among (the) temple teachers,          know God’s word” like sopranos sang above)
Listening—asking—and learning.

Mary
Child, why have you treated us so? (Luke 2:48)
Your father and I have been searching.
We’ve hardly slept, we’ve worried long,
Why are you here in the temple?

Jesus (A young boy soloist)
Mother and father, you should have known,
I was never lost.
Did you not know that I must be
In my Father's house forever?

Chorus
Mary pondered (this) in her heart
For (the) many years that followed.
“Father,” then “Father,” what could he mean?
And what does it mean to be mother? Repeat phrases ala Haydn’s Creation style

Now Joseph died and Jesus grew
And Mary witnessed wonders.
Jesus, her boy, became a man
And she his silent disciple.

She remembered the angel visits,
The flight to Egypt and more.
She was watching salvation unfold
(O) Handmaiden of the Lord.

12. O come O Elohim (Jewish wedding music) (this piece show’s Mary’s spunk!)
Introduction, a call to the Lord (Elohim) – rams horn sound, #20 on tape)
Followed by wedding music in ¾ time

O Come O Elohim  (long sounding of the horn)
Come be with us.
Bring blessing, happiness,
Joy for wedding bliss.

Chorus (in ¾ time?) (flute?)
We gather and we sing of love, we thank you Lord.
With wine and song we celebrate, we thank you Lord.
We celebrate so joyfully, we lift our cup of cheer
May this new born family be ever dear.

Mary
The wine, the wine is running short,
Jesus you must act now.
I know your power I know you can
Rescue the host from shame.
Jesus I think your time has come.
What better way to show God’s love?
You brought disciples they didn’t expect,
The wine is running short.

Jesus
Woman, what have I to do with you?
Who told you my hour has come?
The Father alone knows the day and time
Of all that must be done.

Mary (to the servants)
Whatever my son says to do,
Do at once as instructed.
Ask no questions, simply obey.
Never forget this day.

Chorus
The servants did as Jesus said,
Filled six stone jars to the brim.
Twenty to thirty gallons each,
Almost enough for a swim!

They dipped out the water now become wine
The steward remarked, “So fine, so fine!
Usually the best wine’s (is) served first;
The best wine I’ve tasted on earth.” (a tough transition to chorus that continues)

Chorus (repeat of the opening section)
We gather and we sing of love, we thank you Lord.
With wine and song we celebrate, we thank you Lord.
We celebrate so joyfully, we lift our cup of cheer
May this new born family be ever dear.

Rabbi (a chant)
O Come O Elohim  (long sounding of the horn)
Come be with us.
Bring blessing, happiness,
Joy for wedding bliss. (long sounding of the horn)

13. Today I heard him teach a crowd (This is a major piece…take time)
Mary with Chorus repeating selected words in these brackets: {}
Today I heard him teach a crowd
So large he had to feed them all.
Thousands (were) fed with {one boy’s bread}
“Blessed be the pure in heart,” he said.

Today a paralytic walks,
Blind Bartimaeus sees.
He heals the sick, he calms the sea
He bids the children “{Come to me}.”

It’s wonderful to {watch him love},
To teach, to heal, to touch—
The guilty, dying, and the dead:
He brings them back to life again.

Sunday he rode a donkey small
Into Jerusalem.
The money tables he upset,
He angered many men.

I marvel at his fearlessness,
I’m humbled by his words.
{He prays alone so ardently, {oft repeated words from here until end of song}
I know he is God’s son.} (if necessary, just use this line, often repeated)

Tonight at Passover again
In an upper room,
We served and ate a holy meal,
The holiest bread all year.

He broke the bread, he poured the wine
“My body, blood, remember me:
Never again will I taste these
Until my Father’s kingdom comes.”

He’s praying in the garden now--
Blood on his brow does show.
The garden is no Eden place (slowly)
{His hour has come, I know}. {with the phrased above “I know he is God’s son”}

14. Mary, Mary (Sung anxiously)

Chorus
Mary, Mary, Jesus is (a) prisoner.
Judas betrayed him, disciples (all) have fled.
Peter denied that he (ever) knew the Lord.
Pilate has judged him, Barabas is free.
They’re going to crucify him on a tree.
“King of the Jews” is what Pilate said.
Come (quickly) to Golgotha ere he is dead.

15. My God, What is Happening Now?

Mary
My God, what is happening now?
Our son is going to die.
Where is your love?
Is it not as great as mine?
Our son is going to die.

You have the power,
I only have desire,
To see him win
Against this sin.
Come now
Come save
Come be real God.

My God, what is happening now?
Our son is going to die.

16. Golgotha, brutal Golgotha (The Seven Last Words of Christ are in italics).
Chorus
Golgotha, brutal Golgotha.
Hammer blows ring to the sky.
Wet crimson ground beneath the cross,
Nail pierced hands (are) dripping down.

Mocking men and crown of thorns,
Jesus cries, “Forgive their sin.      (Jesus)
They know not what they do.
Soon they’ll know love comes from you.” (Chorus may repeat 1st stanza, while Jesus, or a
 section of choir continues to sing “Forgive (them)”)
“Remember me,” cries a thief (Chorus)
“In your kingdom yet to come.”
“Paradise! Today for you! (Jesus, emphatically) (Again, chorus may repeat 1st
Death dies!!! His reign is through!” stanza, with “Death dies” as the overlay)

Six long hours hung to die. (Chorus)
“I am thirsty,” hear him sigh. (Jesus)
Love cascades from parched dry lips. (Chorus, repeats these two lines, with overlay
Lift the sponge, hear him cry.           “I thirst”)

(Interlude in the midst of his 7 words, the chorus ponders a sort of temptation to Mary)
Mary, should you ask your son
To come off that awful tree?
Can’t you ask, just this once,
To use his power just for you?
Don’t you think the angels strong
Would listen to your calling song?
Rescue him from this sad plight,
Show God’s power and teach what’s right?

“Woman, John is now your son. (Jesus, singing to Mary)
 John, behold your mother dear.”(Jesus, singing to John)
Family, a holy gift. (Chorus)
Blessed are all who call her name.

(Long music interlude to indicate passage of time and transition from the tenderness above into strident painful struggle as Jesus begins the recitation of Psalm 22 from the cross, which will contain the last three words of Christ, shown in italics)

“Eli, my God, Lema sabachthani. (Jesus) (Ps 22:1, Mt 27:46)
My God, Eli, why forsake me?”   (Jesus continues to sing “Eli” under the choir)
Mouth is dried up like a potsherd. (Chorus) (Ps 22: 15)
See them stare, hear them gloat.   (Ps 22:17)

Casting lots for his robe, (Ps 22:18, John 19:24)
Living water pouring out. (Ps 22:14)
From the womb, God kept him safe (Ps 22:9-11)
On his mother’s loving breast.

Trouble’s near, no one to help.    (Ps 22:11) 
God be not far, in dust he’ll lay. (Ps 22:15)
Into your hands I commit my spirit.   (Jesus) (Luke 23:46)
It is finished, (Our) work is done.  (John 19:30) (repeat 1st 2 lines, overlay:
 (“Your hands”)
Praise him all, who fear the Lord. (Chorus) (Ps 22:23) (overlay, “It’s done” as a
Stand in awe, offspring of Israel.  victorious general’s shout”
Those who sleep in dust or are yet unborn (Ps 22:29-31) (quietly)
Shall live, because of him.

17. Open wounds on feet and hands

(Golgotha Lullaby, to same tune as sung at the cradle. This is the pieta moment, Mary holding the dead body of Jesus after the descent from the cross. The dimpled hands of the manger have become the marks of the cross.)
 
Mary
Open wounds on feet and hands,
O such darkness, o’er the land.
Fingers open, body still.
Crucified upon this hill.

Baby dimples, four each hand,   (a repeat verse from 1st lullaby)
Soft as moonlight on the land.
Fingers grasping for my own,
Gift from God, a holy loan.

How I loved you, gift divine.
I had said that you were mine.
In my lap in death’s deep sleep
Ne’er to waken from the deep.

As I rock you in my arms,
I can feel the strangest calm.
Go to God and be His son,
Dimpled hands, your work is done.

18. The hands of heaven
Chorus
The hands of heaven
Reached down from above
And tore the temple veil.

From the top to the bottom
The hands of heaven
Ripped the temple veil on down.

From the top to the bottom
The separation’s ended
By the mighty hands of heaven.

The strong hand of heaven Ps 63:8
Never will let go,
Of souls who (simply) cling to God.

19. Mary of Magdala what did you fear?
Chorus
Mary of Magdala what did you fear
On the way to the tomb that Sunday?
Mary of Magdala (what) did you sing
Before the dawn of the first Easter morning?

No light, no life, to brighten the path
As you walked alone with the spices.
A cold dark tomb awaiting you
With the crucified body of Jesus.

Mary of Magdala
“Mary, Mary, Mary of Magdala,”
That’s all whom I am today.
No one, no one, loved me
Like the Lord they took away.
Duty, duty calls me
To the darkness of his tomb.
I have no fear of anything now
They’ve taken my Lord away.

20. Can you hear the seed break its husk? This is the resurrection moment. Like Haydn’s Creation, and the moment of “Light”, so “Arise” is the key to the joy of this song.

Chorus (begin quietly)
Can you hear the seed break its husk
When it sends (a) tender stem to the sky?
Or the butterfly break its cocoon
Or the sound of its wings on the fly?

The stone rolled back on that moon-lit morn
But the bright light was inside the tomb.
Gathered with God was the host of heaven,
Together, singing, “ARISE!” (“ARISE!”)

Arise! Wake up. (Repeated phrases again and again)
See your Heavenly Father.
Arise! Come forth,
Grave clothes folded forever.
Arise! Death is done.
Together we’re alive.
(Arise!) Love has won!
The new life has begun.

21. Mary, we saw Jesus
Mary of Magdala
Mary, we saw Jesus!
This is no idle tale.
You know I am no angel.
I am not Gabriel.
But we saw him, heard him
Talked with him.
He even called my name. (John 20:16)
Mary, Mother Mary.
Your son’s alive again. Chorus to sing at least these last two lines, again and again

22. I know it’s true
Mary
I know it’s true.
John saw it too.
Peter walked into the tomb;
Angels dispelled all gloom.

I know it’s true.
Death’s done for me and you.
The one I called my son
Is God’s chosen one.

I know he’s Messiah.
Foretold by Isaiah.
Henceforth I’ll only sing
To Christ, my Lord and King.

Choir (Perhaps with Mary singing: “Henceforth I’ll only sing to Christ, my Lord and King”)
We know it’s true.
Death’s done for us too.
In his house there is no gloom
Love-filled is every room

23. Behind closed doors
Chorus
Behind closed doors
Thomas touched the Lord,
“My Lord and my God is not dead!”

On the Road to Emmaus
The risen Lord appeared
In the breaking of the bread.

On the Sea of Tiberius
Peter fished for fish.
“Throw the nets on the right for success.” (Jesus)

Three times he was asked,
“Do you love me most,”        (Jesus)
Three times he answered “Yes.”

“Feed my sheep, disciples.         (Jesus)
Feed my hungry flock”.
The greater grows our love
The better is our walk.

Share your yoke with me,
And listen when I talk.
I will meet you on the road
I will never ever balk

Chorus
When we come to him in faith
He’s already given us grace.
He calls us to his side
It’s to say for us he died,

24. Lonely, Mary’s lonely
Chorus
Lonely, Mary’s lonely
Though she knows her son is near.
Lonely, still lonely
Missing the days of him near.

She’s waiting, like a child
With no concept of time.
Waiting for the sounding
Of the resurrection chime.

She’s singing “alleluia,”
Soft as a swaddling cloth.
Eyes fixed on Jesus
Like a candle holds a moth.

She prays now for reunion
With all who love the Son.
Trusting, like always,
That for us God’s will is done.

Listen, you can hear her.
She prays for you and me.
She knows all our worries
Disappear in victory.

Jesus, Jesus calling,
Come home, no more strife.
Jesus, Jesus calling,
Inherit eternal life.

25. Gabriel Told Mary “All Creatures of Our God and King"
Chorus
Gabriel told Mary “You’re the one.
You will bear God’s beloved Son.
She said, “Yes, Lord
As you say, Lord.”
May we forever celebrate.
May we forever emulate
Her obedience
Her devotion.
We adore her.
Mother Mary.

As Mary trusted all her days.
May we with courage trust always.
She fed Jesus
As a mother.
May we give forth our life-blood strength.
Trust God is with us for life’s length.
Like dear Mary
Ever faithful.
We adore her.
Mother Mary.

Mary on top of Golgotha
Witnessed Christ’s sacrifice for all.
Jesus passion
For her own sake.
Be with us as we walk the Way.
Do not forsake us on our day.
May we follow.
Like dear Mary.
We adore her.
Mother Mary.

26. Father, Heavenly Father
Mary (in prayer)

Father, Heavenly Father, Jesus is your Son. (I release your son)
He yearned for you, and you and He are one.
Father, Heavenly Father, holy is your name.
I yearn for you, from whom my first born came.

Chorus (in prayer…the Lord’s Prayer elaborated)

Father, Heavenly Father, kingdom life is won.
Jesus taught us, (to) pray your will be done.
Children fill your kingdom, (and) each of us are one.
Brothers, sisters, through you we’ve (all) become.

Father, Heavenly Father, give us daily bread.
You give to all, abundant is your spread.
Worldwide your mercy, worldwide our kin,
Brothers, sisters, forgiving each other’s sin.

Father, Heavenly Father, keep us from our sin.
Living kingdom, a world without an end.
Thank you for Mary, a sister of us all.
Lowly Mary, heard your holy call.

(Transition to a very quiet close)

Baby dimples, four each hand,
Soft as moonlight on the land.
Fingers grasping for your own,
Gift from God, a holy loan.

Godly wounds in feet and hands,
Open gash (is) from the lance.
Yet he loves us one and all.
“Resurrection,” hear his call.

Come and listen, Mary sings
To her Son who is our King.
“Go to God and be His son,
Son, our Son, salvation won.”

{Oratorio may end here}

27. Mary, the mother of Jesus (optional piece) (Finale---a review)
Chorus
Mary, the mother of Jesus, 
Witness to the ends of the earth,
Prayed with the other disciples Acts 1:14
To the one she had given birth.

“Be not afraid, Mary.”
The angel once did say.
“The Lord knows your name, Mary,”
His disciple every day.

Blessed are you among women,
A blessing you bring to the world.
You believed what the angel spoke,
Your son brings mercies untold.

What has become of our dream?
The angel voices were real!     (with excitement)
Jesus so sweet, Jesus our child,
Incarnate God’s loving peace.

She remembered the angel visits,
The flight to Egypt and more.
She watched salvation unfold
(O) Handmaiden of the Lord.

Whatever God’s Son says to do,     
Do at once as instructed.
Ask no questions, simply obey.
Never forget His Way.

It’s wonderful to watch him love,
To teach, to heal, to touch—
The guilty, dying, and the dead:
Brought life by the Word he said.

Marvel at his fearlessness,
Humbled by his words.
He prayed alone so ardently,         
We know he is God’s son.

Open wounds on feet and hands, 
O such darkness, o’er the land.
Fingers open, body still.
Crucified upon the hill.

We know it’s true. John saw Him too.
And Mary prayed with disciples.
Blessed Mary, soul-pierced by sword,
The handmaiden of the Lord.

28. Listen to Me, My Children
Mary
Listen to me, (my) children.
Our work, it is not done.
We have no choice
But to love God,
And God’s only Son.        
Sharing one yoke
We bear one cross.
This, our earthly duty,
Until He comes again.

Chorus
We are bearers of Christ.
This we have in common:
Our work is not done (and)
We have no choice
But to love God’s only Son.

Mary and Chorus
Death, you shall die.
Pitiful and mean.
One short nap and then we wake
Never again to meet.

Death, you are weak.
Used by tyrant’s sin.
A single word from Christ
And all your work’s undone.

Death, we mock you.
You are our soul’s release!
Jesus hallows all our tombs;
You do not prevail.
Chorus
We love Mary,
We emulate her love.
We have this in common:
We love the (Only) Son.