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