Above and below: Details from Luca Giordano’s “Birth of the Virgin,” c. 1697, at the Norton Simon Museum
God in heaven, by your grace the virgin mother of your incarnate Son was blessed in bearing him, but still more blessed in keeping your word: Grant us who honor the exaltation of her lowliness to follow the example of her devotion to your will; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
— Book of Common Prayer, translated from Sept. 8
