The Annunciation

It was fitting that there should be a solemnannouncement made to Mary that she was to conceive of the Holy Ghost, and that her child was to be God himself made man. Thus Mary was informed in mind, and received Christ by faith, even before she received him in her womb. Besides, the Annunciation made Mary amore certain witness of the Incarnation, for here she had God’s own word for it. The Annunciation also gave to Mary the opportunity of free obedience to God’s will; the angelic messenger of God waited for her reply: “Be it done to me according to thy word” (Luke 1:38). Finally, Mary’s free consent to receive our Lord was, in a manner, the consent of the human race to receive the Eternal Son of God as the Redeemer.

It was right that an angel should be the messenger ofthe Annunciation. In God’s order and plan, divine things are communicated to men by the ministry of angels. Further, as St. Bedethe Venerable says, it was right than an angel should come to Mary to announce the restoration of man, since a fallen angel came tocajole the first man to human ruin. Besides, virginity makes one akin to angels; it is suitable that an angel be the messenger sent to the greatest of virgins.

The angel of the Annunciation appeared to Mary. He had some visible form. This is right. An invisible spirit came visibly to say that the invisible God would become visible man. It was right that Mary should have bodily testimony of a bodily conception. Lastly, the visible appearance of the angel and his audible words were a more sure and striking testimony of what was to be than an inner revelation would have been.

There is right order in the Annunciation. First, the angel drew Mary’s attention to the greatness of his message bysaluting her in a new and unusual manner. Next, he delivered his message. Then he led Mary to consent to God’s will, referring to Elizabeth whose conceiving despite advanced age was an instanceof the almighty power of God. Then Mary said: “Behold thehandmaid of the Lord; be it done to me according to thy word.”