The Collect
Pour your grace into our hearts, O Lord, that we who have known the incarnation of your Son Jesus Christ announced by an angel to the Virgin Mary, may by his cross and passion be brought to the glory of his resurrection; who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
The Psalm
40:5-11
or
Canticle 15 (Magnificat)
The Readings
Isaiah 7:10-14 + Hebrews 10:4-10 + Luke 1:26-38
The angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus."
~Luke 1:30-31
This is a feast of the Incarnation. And it might seem fitting to simply call it that, or perhaps the feast of the Conception. But this major feast is, and for centuries has been, called by this title: Annunciation. The great miracle of the event itself is, in the title, overshadowed by its announcement. Gabriel speaks to Mary in the future tense about that which is yet to happen.
It is a remarkable scene, at once both a window into the eternal and a window into the homely everyday. Small wonder it has inspired countless artists, this exchange of words between a divine messenger and a young woman. No matter how many times we have heard it, the announcement can still strike us as perplexing. How can this be? And why? Is this necessary? Such ponderings are part of the life of faith, just as surely as the divine patience that entertains them, and the divine assurance that bids us look to the future in trust; for nothing will be impossible with God.
Closing Prayer
All praise and thanks to you, most gracious Lord, for the wonder of our redemption. We thank you for your favored servant, Mary, ever-blessed. We pray that we, following her example, may look forward in hope as we step into our part in the unfolding of your salvation. For you are sovereign, good Lord, and to you be all glory, now and to the ages. Amen.
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