Annunciation of Mary
Introduction
The Annunciation of Mary is a foundational event in Christian history, celebrated each year on March 25th, nine months before Christmas on the twenty-fifth of December. It commemorates the moment when the angel Gabriel appeared to Mary, a virgin from the house of David, and announced that she would conceive Jesus, the Son of God. This event is described in the Gospel of Luke, where Gabriel greeted Mary with the words, “Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with you.”
Though perplexed by the angel’s message, Mary listened as Gabriel explained that the Holy Spirit would overshadow her, and her child would be the promised Christ, the Savior of the world. Gabriel assured her, “With God, nothing will be impossible.” In faith, Mary responded with her fiat: “Let it be done to me according to your word.”
The Annunciation is celebrated as a holy feast in the catholic church and highlights Mary’s essential role in God’s plan of salvation. Her acceptance of God’s word made her the mother of Jesus and opened the way for redemption. Known in Greek as “Evangelismos,” meaning “good news,” the Annunciation has been upheld by Church councils and honored by countless saints, such as St. John Damascene. Each year, this feast reminds the faithful of Mary’s obedience and trust in God, a model for all to follow in faith and love for the Lord.
Scriptures of the Annunciation
And in the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God into a city of Galilee, called Nazareth, to a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary. And the angel being come in, said unto her: Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women. Who having heard, was troubled at his saying, and thought with herself what manner of salutation this should be.
And the angel said to her, Fear not, Mary, for thou hast found grace with God. Behold thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and shalt bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name Jesus. He shall be great and shall be called the Son of the most-High; and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of David his father; and he shall reign in the house of Jacob forever. And of his kingdom there shall be no end.
And Mary said to the angel “How shall this be done because I know not man?” And the angel answering, said to her: The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the most-High shall overshadow thee. And therefore also the Holy which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God. And behold thy cousin Elizabeth, she also hath conceived a son in her old age; and this is the sixth month with her that is called barren: Because no word shall be impossible with God.
And Mary said: Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it done to me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her. (Luke 1:26-38)
Scripture Commentary
Gabriel's Visit
Luke 1:26-38 recounts the angel Gabriel’s visit to Mary, announcing the miraculous conception of Jesus. The passage highlights the key elements of this event:
In the Annunciation, the angel Gabriel was sent by God to Nazareth to visit Mary, a virgin betrothed to Joseph of the house of David. Gabriel greeted her with the words, “Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with you,” and announced that she would conceive and bear Jesus, the Son of the Most High. Celebrated nine months before Christmas on the twenty-fifth of March, this event is a central mystery of the catholic church, marking the beginning of Christ’s presence in the world.(Luke 1:26-27)
Gabriel's Message from God
The angel Gabriel greeted Mary with the words, “Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with you,” announcing that she had found favor with God. Gabriel revealed that she would conceive and bear a son, whom she would name Jesus, and that He would be called the Son of the Most High, reigning over the house of Jacob forever. This event is central to the catholic church and marks the moment Christ entered the world through Mary’s acceptance of God’s word. (Luke 1:28-33)
Virgin Mary's Question
Mary asked the angel Gabriel, “How can this be, since I know not a man?” Her question sought to understand the reality of conceiving a son while remaining a virgin. Gabriel explained that the Holy Spirit would come upon her, and the power of the Most High—God Himself—would overshadow her, making this miraculous conception possible. This revealed that Christ’s conception would be entirely the work of the Spirit, beyond human means. (Luke 1:34-37)
Virgin Mary's Gives her Permmission
Mary’s response is a pivotal moment in the Annunciation. Despite the miraculous and extraordinary nature of the message, Mary submits to God’s will, saying, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” This response reflects Mary’s faith, humility, and readiness to accept her role in God’s plan for the world. (Luke 1:38)
This passage holds great significance in Christian theology, as it fulfills Old Testament prophecies about the Messiah. Gabriel’s announcement of Jesus’ birth to Mary begins the unfolding of God’s plan for humanity’s redemption through the Incarnation of the Son of God.
In summary, Luke 1:26-38 is a pivotal Bible passage that narrates the angel Gabriel’s message to Mary regarding the miraculous conception of Jesus. It highlights divine intervention, Mary’s faith and obedience, and the fulfillment of Messianic prophecies.
Old Testament Prophecies Fulfilled
The Annunciation, celebrated each year on the twenty-fifth of March, is one of the most significant events in Christian history. Occurring exactly nine months before Christmas, it marks the fulfillment of key Old Testament prophecies foretelling the coming of the Christ, the Son of God. Through the faith and obedience of the Blessed Virgin Mary, God’s eternal plan was set in motion, uniting the promises of the past with their fulfillment in the person of Jesus.
Isaiah 7:14
The prophet Isaiah proclaimed, “Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and his name shall be called Emmanuel” (Isaiah 7:14). This prophecy was fulfilled in the Annunciation, when the angel Gabriel brought God’s word to Mary. Her response, “Be it done to me according to thy word” (Luke 1:38), demonstrated her perfect faith in God’s plan for humanity. Through Mary’s humble and courageous yes, the spirit of the Lord overshadowed her, and the eternal Word became man, dwelling among us as Christ.
Genesis 3:15
The Annunciation fulfilled the first prophecy in Scripture, the Protoevangelium of Genesis 3:15, where God declared: “I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; he shall crush thy head.” Mary is the “woman” of this prophecy, and her son, Jesus, would conquer sin and death, crushing the serpent underfoot. In this moment, Mary’s role as the New Eve became evident: through her, the Savior entered the world, bringing salvation to all.
2 Samuel 7:12-13
The Annunciation also confirmed the Davidic Covenant, in which God promised King David that his house and kingdom would endure forever (2 Samuel 7:12–13). The angel told Mary, “The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he shall reign over the house of Jacob forever” (Luke 1:32–33). This eternal kingdom, foretold centuries earlier, was fulfilled in Christ, who became the cornerstone of the church—a spiritual house built on the faith of the apostles and saints, not with human hands.
Council of Ephasus 431 AD
The Council of Ephesus in 431 AD affirmed Mary’s unique role as Theotokos, the “God-bearer,” highlighting her connection to the ancient prophecies of Scripture. Her fiat—her willing yes to God—was not an isolated act but part of a divine plan that shaped the course of history. The holy feast of the Annunciation reminds the faithful each year of this pivotal moment in salvation history and invites reflection on Mary’s essential role in bringing Christ into the world.
As the catholic church celebrates this solemnity, it honors Mary’s unwavering trust in the Lord and her faith in the promise that “with God, nothing shall be impossible” (Luke 1:37). From her humble home in Nazareth to the grand cathedrals of every archdiocese, the universal church venerates Mary as the blessed one through whom the Word became flesh. The example of her trust inspires countless saints and believers to reflect on how her yes brought the light of salvation to a dark world.
The Annunciation is not just a historical event but a living testament to the fulfillment of God’s promises, the transformative power of faith, and the mission of Christ, the eternal Son of God.
Feast of the Annunciation
The feast of the Annunciation is a special day in the Christian calendar. It marks the moment when the angel Gabriel visited Mary to tell her that she would become the mother of Jesus. This event is significant because it symbolizes the beginning of the story of Jesus’ birth. According to Christian belief, Mary’s response to the angel’s message was a crucial part of God’s plan for salvation. The feast is observed nine months before christmas on the twenty-fifth of March each year to honor and remember this important event in the Christian faith.
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Charles Rogers is a resident of South Carolina and a retired computer programmer by trade. Raised in various Christian denominations, he always believed in Jesus Christ. In 2012, he began experiencing authentic spiritual encounters with the Blessed Virgin Mary, which led him on a seven-year journey at her hand, that included alcohol addiction, a widow maker heart attack and death and conversion to the Catholic Faith. He is the exclusive author and owner of Two Percent Survival, a website dedicated to and created in honor of the Holy Mother. Feel free to email Charles at twopercentsurvival@gmail.com.
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Last Publish: December 30, 2024