Annunciation Day

For those of you who are unfamiliar with the liturgical calendar, today is Annunciation Day, the day the Church remembers the announcement of the birth of Christ to His mother, Mary, by the angel Gabriel.  Given that we celebrate Christmas, the commemoration of the birth of the Son of God, in December, it makes sense that we would remember His conception, if you will, nine months earlier.  So why didn't this remembrance occur on March 25th?  Because Lent was still being observed.  When that happens, the Church withholds the observation of Annunciation Day until eight days after Easter, known as the Octave of Easter.  If you are a bit confused by that, don't feel bad.  It threw me for a loop, too, the first time I ever heard of it.

The Scripture readings for today are as listed.  They all point to Christ in some way, either by presenting the prophecy of His birth, reminding us of His role as our atoning sacrifice (the reason for which He was born), or telling us the story of the actual annunciation.

Isaiah 7:10-14:  This small section of Isaiah contains the verse that is familiar to most of us who have grown up in the Church, or to those who are acquainted with "Messiah," an oratorio by George Frideric Handel.

Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign.  Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. --- Isaiah 7:14

Psalm 45:7-17:  This is a royal psalm presenting Christ as our King.

Hebrews 10:4-10:  This portion of the book of Hebrews presents Christ as the final, effective sacrifice for sin.

...we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. --- Hebrews 10:10

Luke 1:26-38:  This is the only account of the annunciation found in Scripture.  The Gospel of Matthew tells us that Mary became pregnant while betrothed to Joseph but never mentions the encounter with the angel Gabriel.  The Gospel of Mark begins with the ministry of Christ, as does the Gospel of John.

So, does this mean that Christmas begins now?  No, not really.  According to the liturgical calendar, that occurs after Advent, the four Sundays prior to Christmas.  However, Annunciation Day is a small reminder that the Christ who just died for us on Good Friday and who was raised for us on Easter, had to be born in the flesh to accomplish our salvation.  The liturgical calendar now turns back toward the beginning.  Once Eastertide has run its course, and Pentecost has passed, we will enter Ordinary Time, that portion of the Church year dedicated to an examination of the Church as the body of Christ, as believers who are united in Him, and the application (and practice) of Christ's teachings in our lives.

May God bless you today and always.

Resources for Annunciation Day:
Fish Eaters
Catholic Encyclopedia

This Little Light of Mine

The other day, I discovered this version of "This Little Light of Mine" while I was searching for some Gospel music.  I must admit, I didn't think The Boss sang this kind of stuff.  I kind of like it.  Enjoy!

A Free Wool Coat

Reposted from Gooseberry Lane.  Original posting date:  3/15/2007.

Yesterday, after attending a noon Lenten service at my church and after dropping my daughter at her weekly piano lesson, I sat in McDonald's drinking tea and reflecting on the sermon I had heard just an hour before based on a passage from Isaiah, written almost 700 years before the birth of Christ:

All of us like sheep have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way;  but the Lord has caused the iniquity of us all to fall on Him.  Isaiah 53:6 (NASB)

Common language skills tell us that the words "ALL OF US" in this passage refers to you and me.  The phrase "LIKE SHEEP" compares us with those woolly creatures who, if you have ever spent much time around them, provide consistent evidence of lack --- lack of stellar intellect, lack of self-direction, lack of awareness, the list could go on and on.  They provide beautiful wool for my sweaters;  but, let's face it, the comparison of people with sheep is anything but complimentary to the people.  We often lack intelligence, self-direction, and awareness, too, most especially when trying to follow our Shepherd;  hence, the phrase "GONE ASTRAY."

And to where have we all strayed?  To the happy land of "self."  In our sinful state, we spend most of our waking hours concerned with our own lives, our own goals, and our own problems.  We don't spend a lot of time worrying about others or what the Lord thinks is important.  We can't help it;  it is just the way we are.  In the Lutheran church, we confess these words, or something similar, in our liturgy on a regular basis.

We are by nature sinful and unclean and have sinned against God by our thoughts, words, and deeds.

And just who is going to rescue us from this condition, assuming that to remain in such a sinful state would be detrimental to our eternal health?  Christ, of course;  hence the phrase "BUT THE LORD HAS CAUSED THE INIQUITY OF US ALL TO FALL ON HIM."  Jesus took all the punishment for all the sins of all the people ever born (and whoever will be born).  As a stray sheep, I can do nothing to save myself.  I need Christ to stand in my stead, to provide the covering for my sin that I cannot provide for myself.  In the words of my pastor:

I can wear a coat of righteous wool shorn from the Lamb of God Himself.

That coat is a free gift provided for each of us.  All we need to do is accept it.