Did not the faithful Sarah, long ago,
before her son Isaac was born,
desire to give birth, even though she was sterile?
She received the Lord in human form, along with two archangels;
And His word to her on this occasion was:
“You, Sarah, will have a child,”
Now, rejoicing, she cries to the world:
The barren woman gives birth to the Mother of God
And the nurse of our Life.
St. Romanos the Melodist, Kontakion on the Nativity of the Virgin Mary
Locus Communis 