December 20th

‘Annunciation’ by Jason Jenicke

We shared today’s reading from Luke some weeks ago on the feast on the Immaculate Conception. However, reading it again, with only days before the great celebration of Christmas, the story of Annunciation seems more poignant and special. Once again, we are presented with the Angel proclaiming the impossible: a virgin will conceive! Mary is seen to be ‘highly favoured!’ because ‘the Lord is with’ her (Lk 1:28). Again, we hear that eternal promise of God: ‘do not be afraid!’ (Lk 1:30). As the saying goes, the rest is history—a divine history of God becoming part of our world. A God who is so concerned about the welfare of humanity, that the Divine become one just ‘like us in all things but sin’ (Heb 4:15).

In the Annunciation dialogue, we see the reality of the situation: fear, concern, doubt and, eventually, trust with Mary’s beautiful words, ‘I am the Lord’s servant, may your word to me be fulfilled (Lk 1:38). I am sure that there have been times when you have shared the emotions of Mary at Annunciation: demands are made of you that you cannot hope to fulfil; you are expected to make a leap of faith; you learn to trust in the Lord. The Swedish sensation, ‘Abba’ have song that perfectly fits today—faith demands that we take a chance!

Today: make a leap of faith and take that chance on God

We can pray:

O most holy Virgin Mary,

to whom God sent the Angel Gabriel

to announce that you should be the mother of His Only Begotten Son,

pray for us who have recourse to you.

Holy, lovely Mary

We give our all to you

What is past and present,

And the future, too.

Blessed be the holy and Immaculate Conception

of the most blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God.