The Annunciation of the birth of Jesus to the Blessed Virgin Mary

The Annunciation of the birth of Jesus to the Blessed Virgin Mary  – 25 March 2021

Collect
We beseech you, O Lord, pour your grace into our hearts,
That as we have known the incarnation of your Son Jesus Christ
by the message of an angel,
so by his cross and passion we may be brought
to the glory of his resurrection;
through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,
who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Reading: Luke 1. 26 – 38

The Angel Gabriel carol as you would usually hear it at St George’s:
and a different, perhaps more meditative version:

The Blessed Virgin Mary is revered in Christianity. In the Orthodox Church she is named Theotokos, the bearer of God, a tradition which goes back to the early years after the death of Christ. The child, Jesus, carried and brought forth by Mary, takes on our human nature while remaining divine.

A comparison may be made between Eve, who is disobedient, and Mary, who consents to God’s will, This is paralleled by Adam, who fails, and Jesus, who reconciles, accomplishes and completes God’s work.

When Mary visits Elizabeth, the unborn John acknowledges Jesus by leaping in Elizabeth’s womb      (Lk 2. 44). Mary is present at the wedding feast in Cana; she is mentioned as wanting to talk to him on an occasion when he has been teaching (Mt 12. 46); at the foot of the cross she watches him die (Jn 19. 26); and at Pentecost it is thought that she is with the disciples as the Holy Spirit descends on the assembled company of followers. Other legends grew up around her and appearances and visions have been recorded. Not much is known about her character but it is obvious that she shows courage and humility.

Mary, as a human being, also represents the people of God, the Church. As she brings Christ into the world, it is also the vocation of the whole Christian community to bring Christ to the world. We are overshadowed by the Holy Spirit at our baptism and we can bring the message of the love, reconciliation and peace of God to the world.

In St George’s there are stained glass windows in the Lady Chapel which tell the story of Mary as she enables and witnesses to the revelation of Jesus, Son of God, Saviour. Outside the Lady Chapel, in the south transept is a vivid and energetic window, depicting the Angel Gabriel as he announces the birth of Jesus to Mary. The Holy Spirit is shown as a dove in rays of light.

From the Orthodox Church, vespers for 25 March:

The Creator, pitying his creation and stooping in his compassion,
makes haste to dwell in a Maiden’s womb, the womb of God’s own child.
The great archangel came to her and said:
Greetings, whom God has favoured!
Our God is now with you.
Have no fear of me, the kings’ great commander.
for you have found the grace which your ancestress Eve lost of old.
You will conceive and give birth to him who is one being with the Father.

We may use the Hail Mary prayer in our devotions:

Hail Mary, Full of Grace, The Lord is with thee.
Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now, and at the hour of death. Amen