The Annunciation

Today in the Church calendar (25 March), exactly 9 months before Christmas, we celebrate the Annunciation - the angel Gabriel's announcement to the Blessed Virgin Mary that she would conceive by the Holy Spirit and be the mother of Jesus, the Son of God. You can read the story in the Gospel of Luke 1:26-38.

Mary's response to the angel's announcement - let it be to me according to your word (1:38) - is the great expression of human faith in God. We say essentially the same thing whenever we pray the Lord's Prayer: Thy will be done.

Here Mary shows us exactly what it means to be truly human, to live the way God intends us to live: with humble obedience and dependence on Him, not knowing exactly what lies ahead, but trusting in His promises and provision, even the most challenging of circumstances. For nothing will be impossible with God (1:37).

Today, in the midst of this pandemic, may we be renewed in this very same faith. 

The Collect for the Annunciation

We beseech you, O Lord, pour your grace into our hearts, that as we have known the incarnation of your Son Jesus Christ by the message of an angel, so by his cross and passion we may be brought to the glory of his resurrection; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Image: Icon of the Annunciation, St. Mary's Coptic Church, Dallas TX