Today is the Annunciation of Our Lord, the day on which the Angel Gabriel announced to Mary that she would be the mother of the Savior. What? Here we are in the midst of Lent, and the church calendar takes a sudden turn toward Christmas. Well, we are nine month exactly from the Nativity of Our Lord.

One of my favorite illustrations of the Annunciation is the painting by Jan van Eyck at the National Gallery of Art. 

This was an early work in the new-fangled (1434-1436) medium of oil paint. It’s an almost jewel-like depiction. An astonished Mary is surprised at prayer by the dazzling angel Gabriel as a tiny dove representing the Holy Spirit streams toward her on a beam of light.  

I recall that somewhere Martin Luther quoted St. Bernard that there were three miracles in this story: that God and man should be joined in this Child; that a mother should remain a virgin; that Mary should have such faith as to believe that this mystery would be accomplished in her. The greatest miracle is that Mary would believe.  Mary hears all that is going to happen and says, “let it be to me according to your word.”

Mary is the example of faith for me. It is a challenge for any Christian to say to God, let what you will happen to me. I pray that I have the fortitude to acknowledge God’s will the way Mary did.

Let it be to me according to your word.

Read Luke 1:26-38 and remember: God loves YOU unconditionally.

Wayne