Annunciation Explained in 4 Min. - The Annunciation of Mary - ALL You Need to Know! March 25th Feast

Catholic News World

24 Mar 202104:34

Summary

TLDRThe Annunciation, celebrated annually on March 25th, marks the moment when the Virgin Mary consented to become the mother of Jesus, leading to his incarnation. This event is commemorated as a solemnity across Christianity, particularly in Orthodox, Anglican, Catholic, and Lutheran traditions. The script highlights the angel Gabriel's announcement to Mary, her initial confusion, and eventual acceptance, embodying the fulfillment of the divine promise to the Hebrews as foretold by Isaiah. The Annunciation is depicted in numerous artworks, with the oldest known fresco dating back to the 4th century. The narrative underscores the miraculous nature of Jesus' conception and Mary's pivotal role as the Mother of God.

Takeaways

📅 The Annunciation is celebrated on March 25th, nine months before Christmas, commemorating the moment when Jesus became incarnate in the womb of the Virgin Mary.
🌟 Also known as the Incarnation or Little Christmas, the event marks the conception of Jesus in Mary's womb, which is a solemnity in Christianity.
✝️ If the Annunciation falls during the Easter Triduum, it may be transferred to another day to avoid conflict with Good Friday, Holy Saturday, or Easter Sunday.
🖼️ The Annunciation is a popular subject in Christian artwork, with the oldest known fresco dating back to the 4th century in the Priscilla Catacomb in Rome.
🌐 Observed by various Christian denominations including Orthodoxy, Anglicanism, Catholicism, and Lutheranism, the feast is almost universally recognized.
📜 The Catechism explains that the Virginal conception of Jesus is a divine work beyond human understanding, as stated in the Gospel accounts.
👼 The fulfillment of the divine promise of the Messiah to the Hebrew people through the Prophet Isaiah is seen in the Annunciation.
📖 The story of the Annunciation is narrated in the Gospel of Luke, chapter 1, verses 26 to 38, detailing the encounter between the Angel Gabriel and the Virgin Mary.
👼🏻 Mary, of the House of David and espoused to Joseph, was chosen to be the mother of Jesus, even though she had not yet entered Joseph's household.
🌟 The angel's message to Mary included the promise that she would conceive a son, Jesus, who would be great and inherit the throne of David, with a kingdom that would have no end.
🙏 Mary's response, 'Behold the handmaid of the Lord, be it done to me according to thy word,' signifies her acceptance and trust in God's plan for her to be the mother of Jesus.

Q & A

What is the Annunciation and why is it significant in Christianity?
-The Annunciation is the event when the angel Gabriel announced to the Virgin Mary that she would conceive and become the mother of Jesus, the Son of God. It is significant as it marks the Incarnation, the moment when Jesus became flesh in Mary's womb, and is celebrated as a solemnity or special feast day in Christianity.
On what date is the Annunciation typically observed?
-The Annunciation is typically observed on March 25th each year.
Why is the Annunciation also known as 'Little Christmas'?
-The Annunciation is referred to as 'Little Christmas' because it celebrates the conception of Jesus in Mary's womb, which is seen as the beginning of the fulfillment of the promise of the Messiah's birth.
What happens if the Annunciation falls during the Easter Triduum?
-If the Annunciation falls during the Easter Triduum, which includes Good Friday, Holy Saturday, or Easter Sunday, the feast is sometimes transferred to another day to avoid conflict with the solemnities of the Passion, Death, and Resurrection of Jesus.
In which century was the oldest known fresco of the Annunciation created?
-The oldest known fresco of the Annunciation was created in the 4th century, as found in the Priscilla Catacomb in Rome.
Which Christian denominations observe the Feast of the Annunciation?
-The Feast of the Annunciation is observed almost universally throughout Christianity, especially within Orthodoxy, Anglicanism, Catholicism, and Lutheranism.
How does the Church understand the virginal conception of Jesus?
-The Church understands the virginal conception of Jesus as a divine work that surpasses all human understanding and possibility, as stated in the Catechism in Article 497.
Which prophet is associated with the divine promise of the Messiah in the Annunciation?
-The prophet Isaiah is associated with the divine promise of the Messiah, as mentioned in the Annunciation narrative where the angel quotes Isaiah's prophecy, 'Behold a virgin shall conceive and bear a son.'
How does the Gospel of Luke describe the Annunciation?
-The Gospel of Luke, chapter 1, verses 26 to 38, describes the Annunciation as the moment when the angel Gabriel was sent from God to the Virgin Mary at Nazareth, announcing that she would conceive and bear a son named Jesus.
What was Mary's response to the angel's message about her conceiving a son?
-Mary responded to the angel's message with humility and faith, saying, 'Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it done to me according to thy word.' This response is known as the 'Fiat' in Latin, signifying her acceptance and obedience to God's will.
What is the significance of the title 'Theotokis' or 'Mother of God' in relation to Mary?
-The title 'Theotokis' or 'Mother of God' signifies Mary's unique role as the mother of Jesus, who is both God and man. This title was used since the third century and was affirmed by the Council of Ephesus in AD 431, which declared Mary as the Theotokis because her son Jesus is one divine person with two natures, divine and human, united hypostatically.

Outlines

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🌟 The Annunciation: A Christian Feast Day

The Annunciation, celebrated on March 25th, marks the moment when Jesus became incarnate in the womb of the Virgin Mary after her consent. Also known as the Incarnation and Little Christmas, this event is commemorated as a solemnity in Christianity. The feast is observed across various denominations, including Orthodoxy, Anglicanism, Catholicism, and Lutheranism. The event is depicted in numerous artworks, notably in the 4th-century fresco at the Priscilla Catacomb in Rome. The Catechism explains that the Virginal conception of Jesus is a divine work beyond human understanding, as prophesied by Isaiah. The Annunciation is narrated in Luke 1:26-38, where the angel Gabriel announces to Mary her selection to bear the Messiah, despite her virginity. Mary's question about the virgin birth is answered by the angel, who assures her that the Holy Spirit will overshadow her, and her son will be called the Son of God. Mary's acceptance of this divine mission is expressed in her response, 'Behold the handmaid of the Lord, be it done to me according to thy word.'

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Annunciation

The Annunciation refers to the biblical event where the angel Gabriel announces to the Virgin Mary that she will conceive and become the mother of Jesus, the Son of God. It is a pivotal moment in Christian theology, marking the Incarnation. The video explains that this event is commemorated on March 25th, nine months before Christmas, and is depicted extensively in Christian art, including the oldest known fresco in the Priscilla Catacomb in Rome.

💡Incarnation

Incarnation is a Christian doctrine that describes the union of the divine and human natures in the person of Jesus Christ. In the context of the video, the Annunciation is also known as the Incarnation, signifying the moment when Jesus became flesh in the womb of the Virgin Mary after her consent, as mentioned in the script: 'it is on this day that Jesus became incarnate flesh in the womb of the Virgin Mary.'

💡Little Christmas

Little Christmas is an alternative name for the Feast of the Annunciation, indicating its significance in the Christian calendar, albeit on a smaller scale compared to the main Christmas celebration. The video mentions this term to highlight the festive nature of the Annunciation, even though it is not as widely recognized or celebrated as Christmas itself.

💡Easter Triduum

The Easter Triduum refers to the three days of the Passion, Death, and Resurrection of Jesus, which includes Good Friday, Holy Saturday, and Easter Sunday. The video notes that if the Feast of the Annunciation falls during this period, it is transferred to another day to avoid overshadowing the events of the Triduum.

💡Virgin Mary

The Virgin Mary is the mother of Jesus Christ in Christian theology, known for her miraculous virginal conception of Jesus. The video emphasizes her role in the Annunciation, where she is chosen to be the mother of the Messiah and consents to the divine plan, as described in the script: 'Mary was of the house of David and was espoused to be married to Joseph... she had however not yet entered the household of her spouse.'

💡House of David

The House of David refers to the royal lineage of the biblical King David, from which Jesus is said to be descended. In the video, it is mentioned that both Mary and Joseph belonged to this royal family, indicating their significance in the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies, as stated: 'Mary was of the house of David and was espoused to be married to Joseph of the same royal family.'

💡Archangel Gabriel

Archangel Gabriel is one of the principal angels in Christian tradition, known for his role in delivering messages from God. In the context of the video, Gabriel is the angel who announces the Annunciation to Mary, as described: 'the angel Gabriel was sent from God to the Virgin Mary at Nazareth.'

💡Virginal Conception

The virginal conception is the belief that Jesus was conceived in Mary's womb without human intervention, through the power of the Holy Spirit. The video explains that this conception is considered a divine work that surpasses human understanding, as mentioned: 'The gospel accounts understand the virginal conception of Jesus as a divine work that surpasses all human understanding and possibility.'

💡Prophet Isaiah

Prophet Isaiah is a significant figure in the Hebrew Bible, known for his prophecies, including the promise of the Messiah. The video connects the Annunciation to Isaiah's prophecy, as the Church sees the fulfillment of the divine promise of the Messiah in the conception of Jesus, as referenced: 'the Church sees here the fulfillment of the divine promise of the Messiah, given to the Hebrew people through the prophet Isaiah.'

💡Theotokós

Theotokós is a title given to the Virgin Mary, meaning 'God-bearer' or 'Mother of God'. The video explains that this title is used to honor Mary as the mother of Jesus, who is both God and man. It is mentioned in the context of the Council of Ephesus, which decreed Mary's title as Theotokós, as stated: 'the council of Ephesus in AD431 decreed that Mary is the Theotokós because her son Jesus is both God and man.'

Highlights

The Annunciation is commemorated on March 25th, nine months before Christmas.

It is a solemnity or special feast day in Christianity.

The event marks the moment when Jesus became incarnate in the womb of the Virgin Mary.

Also known as the Incarnation and Little Christmas.

The feast may be transferred if it coincides with the Easter Triduum.

The Annunciation is a popular subject in Christian artwork.

The oldest known fresco of the Annunciation dates back to the 4th century.

Observed almost universally in Christianity, especially in Orthodoxy, Anglicanism, Catholicism, and Lutheranism.

The Catechism explains the virginal conception of Jesus as a divine work.

The Church sees the Annunciation as the fulfillment of the divine promise of the Messiah.

The Annunciation is related in Luke chapter 1, verses 26 to 38.

The angel Gabriel was sent to the Virgin Mary at Nazareth.

Mary was of the house of David and was espoused to Joseph.

The angel greeted Mary with 'Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with thee.'

Mary was troubled by the angel's greeting, not knowing the cause of his coming.

The angel assured Mary that she had found grace with God.

Mary was told she would conceive and give birth to a son named Jesus.

Jesus would be great, called the Son of the Most High, and reign forever.

The angel explained that the Holy Spirit would come upon Mary, and the power of the Most High would overshadow her.

Mary's response, 'Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it done to me according to thy word.'

The title 'Theotokis' or 'Mother of God' has been used since the third century.

The Council of Ephesus decreed that Mary is the Theotokis because her son Jesus is both God and man.