O Virgin of virgins, how shall this be?
For never before or after, has there been any like you.
Daughters of Jerusalem, why marvel at me?
For what you behold is a divine mystery.

In the tender compassion of our God
the dawn from on high shall break upon us,
to shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death,
and to guide our feet into the way of peace.
(Lk 1:67-79)

Our joyful waiting is almost at an end, as the Canticle of Zechariah proclaims, “the dawn from on high shall break upon us.”