Poem: "The Incarnation," John of the Cross

Then He summoned an archangel, 

Saint Gabriel: and when he came, 

Sent him forth to find a maiden, 

Mary was her name. 

Only through her consenting love 

Could the mystery be preferred 

That the trinity in human 

Flesh might clothe the Word. 

Though the three Persons worked the wonder 

It only happened in the One. 

So was the Word made the incarnation 

In Mary’s womb, a son. 

So he who only had a Father 

Now had a Mother undefiled, 

Though not as ordinary maids 

Had she conceived the Child. 

By Mary, and with her own flesh, 

He was clothed in His own frame: 

Both Son of God and Son of Man 

Together had one name.