The Annunciation of Our Lord Jesus Christ to the Blessed Virgin Mary

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

Then Mary said, “Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.”
~Luke 1.38

For roughly 1000 years, in most of the Christian world, March 25 was kept as New Year's Day. The new year began today because this, the feast of the Annunciation, is when the new world begins--the beginning of this world becoming the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, God’s reign coming near. And Luke's Gospel today tells us that this is how it begins.

I recently heard a remark, which I've heard before, that 'no one asks to be born.' It's true—and also strange, isn't it? Especially in a society like ours, which places such a high premium, and so much weight, upon the idea of individual freedom and choice and autonomy. Yet every single one of us came into existence without any say whatsoever in the matter. And it doesn't stop there: not only for months in the womb, but for the first several years of life, we humans are entirely dependent on others, and especially on our mothers, simply to survive—to say nothing of making decisions for ourselves. In fact, despite the stories we tell ourselves about our 'rugged individualism,' none of us ever really becomes entirely autonomous—our lives are always inextricably bound up together. 

'No one asks to be born.' Well, except, we believe, in one instance.

Charles Williams wrote: 'God determined to be incarnate by being born; God determined to have a mother.' Arguably, God could have worked the world's salvation in some other way; even the Incarnation, speculatively, could have happened in some other manner. But this is what God chose. It's also what Mary chose. The church has always understood this interaction as being entirely without coercion. Mary was prepared by grace for this moment (as indeed we all are prepared by grace to respond to God), but the choice is hers: she is free. She first ponders, and then questions. And then, after Gabriel has delivered his message, there comes a moment when, as someone has described it, 'all heaven holds its breath, and waits.'

And Mary responds with her fiat: 'Here am I, the Lord's servant; let it be as you have said.'

This annunciation presents us, in a unique way, with an interaction in which life is knowingly, courageously, and freely embraced by all—and not just for themselves but for the world.

This is how God's reign begins.

Hail, Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death.

A Litany for Ukraine

During Lent, many Episcopalians pray The Great Litany. Here is 'a little litany,' which may be used in personal prayer, especially as an intercession for Ukraine. Adapted from the Prayer Book's Form V of the Prayers of the People. (The plural is not inappropriate for personal prayer, since Christian prayer is never truly a solitary endeavor, but is made in the company of saints and angels.)

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In peace, we pray to you, Lord, saying, “Kyrie eleison.”

For the holy Church of God, that it may be filled with truth and love, and be found without fault at the day of your coming, we pray to you, O Lord. Kyrie eleison.

 
For all who fear God and believe in you, Lord Christ, that our divisions may cease, and that all may be one as you and the Father are one, we pray to you, O Lord. Kyrie eleison.

 
For the peace of the world, that a spirit of respect and forbearance may grow among nations and peoples, we pray to you, O Lord. Kyrie eleison.

 
For those in positions of public trust, that they may serve justice, and promote the dignity and freedom of every person, we pray to you, O Lord. Kyrie eleison.

 
For members of the armed forces fighting to defend their homes and freedoms, that they may be kept secure in body, mind, and spirit, and given courage and a sense of your abiding presence, we pray to you, O Lord. Kyrie eleison.

 
For the poor, the persecuted, the sick, and all who suffer; for refugees, prisoners, and all who are in danger; that they may be relieved and protected, we pray to you, O Lord. Kyrie eleison.

 
For our enemies and those who wish us harm, and for all whom we have injured or offended, we pray to you, O Lord. Kyrie eleison.

 
For all who have commended themselves to our prayers; for our families, friends, and neighbors; for those near and far, and those even now beseeching our prayers; that being freed from anxiety, they may live in joy, peace, and health, we pray to you, O Lord. Kyrie eleison.

 
For the people of Ukraine, and for all people suffering the violence of war, we pray to you, O Lord. Kyrie eleison.

 
For all who have died in the communion of your Church, and those whose faith is known to you alone, that, with all the saints, they may have rest in that place where there is no pain or grief, but life eternal, we pray to you, O Lord. Kyrie eleison.

 
Rejoicing in the fellowship of the ever-blessed Virgin Mary and all the saints, we commend ourselves, and one another, and all our life to Christ our God.
To you, O Lord our God.

For yours is the majesty, O Father, Son, and Holy Spirit; yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory, now and ever and unto the ages of ages. Amen.