Annunciation Explained in 4 Min. - The Annunciation of Mary - ALL You Need to Know! March 25th Feast
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
🌟 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
💡Incarnation
💡Little Christmas
💡Easter Triduum
💡Virgin Mary
💡House of David
💡Archangel Gabriel
💡Virginal Conception
💡Prophet Isaiah
💡Theotokós
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.
Transcripts
the annunciation explained in four
minutes on march 25th
ninth months before christmas every year
the annunciation to mary is remembered
as a solemnity or special feast day
it is on this day that jesus became
incarnate flesh in the womb of the
virgin mary
after she consented the annunciation is
also known as the incarnation
and little christmas the feast of the
conception of jesus in mary's womb
is sometimes transferred to another day
if it falls during the easter
triduum good friday holy saturday or
easter sunday
the annunciation is one of the most
popular in christian artwork
with the priscilla catacomb in rome
including the oldest known fresco of the
annunciation
dating to the 4th century the feast of
the annunciation is observed almost
universally throughout christianity
especially within orthodoxy anglicanism
catholicism
and lutheranism the catechism in article
497
explains that the gospel accounts
understand the virginal conception of
jesus as a divine work that surpasses
all human understanding and possibility
that which is conceived in her is of the
holy spirit said the angel to joseph
about mary
the church sees here the fulfillment of
the divine promise of the messiah
given to the hebrew people through the
prophet isaiah
behold a virgin shall conceive and bear
a son
the fact of the annunciation of the
blessed virgin mary is related in luke
chapter 1 verses 26 to 38. the
evangelist tells us that in the sixth
month after the conception of saint john
the baptist by elizabeth
the angel gabriel was sent from god to
the virgin mary at nazareth
a small town in the mountains of galilee
mary was of the house of david and was
espoused
to be married to joseph of the same
royal family
she had however not yet entered the
household of her spouse
but was still in her mother's house
working perhaps
over her dowry and the angel having
taken the figure in the form of man
came into the house and said to her hail
full of grace
to whom is given grace favored one the
lord is with e
mary having heard the greeting words did
not speak she was troubled in spirit
since she knew not the angel nor the
cause of his coming
nor the meaning of the salutation and
the angel continued and said
fear not mary for thou hast found grace
with god
behold thou shalt conceive in thy womb
and shalt bring forth a son
and thou shalt call his name jesus he
shall be great
and shall be called the son of the most
high and the lord god shall give unto
him the throne of david his father
and he shall reign in the house of jacob
forever and of his kingdom there shall
be no end
the virgin understood that there was
question of the coming redeemer
but why should she be elected from
amongst women for the splendid dignity
of being the mother of the messiah
having vowed her virginity to god saint
augustine
therefore not doubting the word of god
like zachary
but filled with fear and astonishment
she said how shall this be done
because i know not man the angel to
remove mary's anxiety and to assure her
that her virginity would be spared
answered the holy ghost shall come upon
thee and the power of the most high
shall overshadow thee
and therefore also the holy which shall
be born of thee shall be called the son
of god
in token of the truth of his word he
made known to her the conception of
saint john
the miraculous pregnancy of her relative
now old and sterile
and behold by cousin elizabeth she also
has conceived a son in her old age and
this is the sixth month with her that is
called barren
because no word shall be impossible with
god
mary may not yet have fully understood
the meaning of the heavenly message and
how the maternity might be reconciled
with her vow of virginity
but clinging to the first words of the
angel and trusting to the omnipotence of
god she said
behold the handmaid of the lord be it
done to me according to thy word
theotakus from the greek is a title of
mary
mother of jesus the latin translations
are degenerics or diapera
approximately parent of god familiar
english translations are mother of god
or god bearer
the title has been in use since the
third century in the syriac tradition
as classical syriac yodeth aloho
the council of ephesus in ad431 decreed
that mary is the theatocus because her
son jesus is both god and man
one divine person with two natures
divine and human
intimately and hypostatically united
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