The Annunciation of Our Lord

Henry Ossawa Tanner, The Annunciation, 1898.

March 25 is the celebration of the Annunciation of Our Lord. We mark the birth of Christ as December 25. Therefore, nine months earlier is March 25.

On this day we mark the Incarnation of Our Lord, of God taking on human flesh. We thank God that He loved His fallen creatures enough to become like one of us.

God started His dramatic rescue operation with a visit from His angel Gabriel to the Virgin Mary. We mark this day at the beginning of Jesus’ life on earth in the womb of His mother. It is also the day that mark that the angel gave the birth announcement of the Savior of the world.

When Mary heard that she had been chosen to be the Mother of God, she responded in faith, “I am the Lord’s servant. May it be to me as you have said.”

We rejoice on this day that our Almighty Creator, whom heaven and earth cannot contain, is lying in a womb for nine months waiting to be born! He took on human flesh so He could give up that flesh upon a cross! He allowed crimson blood to course through His veins so He could pour out that precious blood to forgive humanity for their bloodshed! His conception by the Holy Spirit was announced by an angel so that His resurrection would be announced by another angel!

The historic Old Testament reading for this day is Isaiah 7:10-14. Again the LORD spoke to Ahaz, 11 "Ask the LORD your God for a sign, whether in the deepest depths or in the highest heights." 12 But Ahaz said, "I will not ask; I will not put the LORD to the test." 13 Then Isaiah said, "Hear now, you house of David! Is it not enough to try the patience of men? Will you try the patience of my God also? 14 Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.

The Gospel is Luke 1:26-38. In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, 27 to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin's name was Mary. 28 The angel went to her and said, "Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you." 29 Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. 30 But the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. 31 You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, 33 and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end." 34 "How will this be," Mary asked the angel, "since I am a virgin?" 35 The angel answered, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. 36 Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be barren is in her sixth month. 37 For nothing is impossible with God." 38 "I am the Lord's servant," Mary answered. "May it be to me as you have said." Then the angel left her.

The Prayer for this day: Pour your grace into our hearts, O Lord, that we, who have known the incarnation of your Son, Jesus Christ, announced by an angel, may by his cross and passion be brought to the glory of his resurrection; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.