Resources
The Annunciation
Scripture
"In the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town of Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the house of David, and the virgin's name was Mary. And coming to her, he said, 'Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with you.' But she was greatly troubled at what was said and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. Then the angel said to her, 'Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name him Jesus. He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father, and he will rule over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.'"
Luke 1:26-33
"But Mary said to the angel, 'How can this be, since I have no relations with a man?' And the angel said to her in reply, 'The holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore the child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God. And behold, Elizabeth, your relative, has also conceived a son in her old age, and this is the sixth month for her who was called barren; for nothing will be impossible for God.' Mary said, 'Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.' Then the angel departed from her."
Luke 1:34-38
Meditation
The Annunciation marks the moment when the eternal Word of God begins His human journey in the womb of the Virgin Mary. In the simple setting of Nazareth, a young woman receives heaven's messenger and, through her consent, helps initiate the most profound event in human history—the Incarnation. The angel's greeting, "Hail, full of grace," reveals Mary's unique status, preserved from sin and filled with divine life from her conception in preparation for her role as Mother of God.
Mary's response to Gabriel unfolds in three stages that exemplify her spiritual maturity. First, she is "troubled" and ponders the greeting—showing her thoughtful, contemplative nature. Second, she asks a practical question—"How can this be?"—demonstrating that faith seeks understanding. Finally, she gives her unconditional "yes" to God's plan—"May it be done to me according to your word"—embodying perfect surrender to divine will.
This mystery reveals the paradoxical humility of God, who seeks the free cooperation of His creature for His plan of salvation. The omnipotent Creator waits for Mary's consent before taking flesh in her womb. Her "fiat" (let it be done) reverses Eve's disobedience and becomes the model of all Christian discipleship—surrendering to God's will even when His plans exceed our understanding. In this moment, heaven touches earth, eternity enters time, and divinity embraces humanity in the person of Jesus Christ, who begins His human existence as a tiny, vulnerable embryo in Mary's womb.
Mary's Fiat: The Perfect Yes
"Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word."
Mary's response to the angel—her "fiat" or "yes"—holds profound significance for Christian spirituality:
- Complete Trust - Mary accepts God's plan without understanding all its implications
- Humble Service - She identifies herself as the "handmaid" or servant of the Lord
- Freedom in Obedience - Her submission is not passive but an active choice made in freedom
- Reversal of Eve's No - Where Eve's disobedience closed the door to paradise, Mary's obedience opens the door to salvation
- Model for All Believers - Each Christian is called to echo Mary's fiat in responding to God's will
Reflection Questions
- How do I respond when God's messengers (through Scripture, Church teaching, or spiritual direction) challenge me to move beyond my comfort zone?
- What fears or concerns hold me back from giving my complete "yes" to God's will?
- In what areas of my life am I being invited to say, "I am the servant of the Lord; let it be done to me according to your word"?
- How do I discern God's voice among the many competing messages I receive daily?
- How might my "yes" to God, like Mary's, bring Christ into the world in concrete ways?
Fruit of the Mystery
The spiritual fruit of this mystery is:
- Humility - Recognition of our complete dependence on God and willingness to submit to His will
Prayer
Lord Jesus, who began Your human journey in the womb of the Virgin Mary, help me to cultivate the same openness and docility to God's will that Your Mother demonstrated at the Annunciation. Grant me the grace to respond to Your invitations with Mary's wholehearted "yes," even when Your plans surpass my understanding or challenge my comfort. May I, like Mary, ponder Your word in my heart, seeking to understand Your message while remaining faithful in times of uncertainty. Help me to recognize that true freedom is found not in doing whatever I please, but in aligning my will with Yours. Through the intercession of Mary, your Mother and mine, may I become a dwelling place where You can take flesh in our world today through my words and actions. Amen.
Art and Tradition
The Annunciation has inspired countless artistic representations across Christian history. From early catacomb frescoes to Byzantine icons, from medieval illuminated manuscripts to Renaissance masterpieces by artists like Fra Angelico and Botticelli, this pivotal moment has been depicted in diverse ways. Common elements include the angel Gabriel with raised hand in greeting or blessing, Mary in an attitude of humble acceptance, and often a lily symbolizing her purity. Many depictions also include a representation of the Holy Spirit as a dove descending toward Mary, visualizing the angel's words that "the Holy Spirit will come upon you."
The Church celebrates the Feast of the Annunciation on March 25, exactly nine months before Christmas, emphasizing that the Incarnation begins not at Christ's birth but at His conception in Mary's womb. In many cultures, the Angelus prayer, recited three times daily (morning, noon, and evening), commemorates the Annunciation with the repetition of the angel's greeting and Mary's response, inviting believers to pause and recall this central mystery of faith.
The Annunciation is the first of the Joyful Mysteries of the Rosary, setting the stage for all the other mysteries that follow. It reminds us that salvation history hinges on both divine initiative and human response—God proposes, but respects human freedom. The "yes" of Mary becomes the gateway through which God enters human history in a new and definitive way.