The Annunciation of the Lord
In Annuntiatione Domini
The Annunciation is, according to the Gospel of Luke, the announcement made by the archangel Gabriel to Mary that she would conceive and bear a son through a virgin birth and become the mother of Jesus Christ, the Messiah and Son of God, marking the Incarnation.
According to Luke 1:26 the Annunciation occurred in the sixth month of Elizabeth's pregnancy with John the Baptist. Many Christians observe this event with the Feast of the Annunciation on 25March, an approximation of the northern vernal equinox nine full months before Christmas, the traditional birthday of Jesus.
The Annunciation is a key topic in Christian art in general, as well as in Marian art in the Catholic Church, having been especially prominent during the Middle Ages and Renaissance. A work of art depicting the Annunciation is sometimes itself called an Annunciation.
Next
Readings at Mass
Every year
- First Reading
- Is 7:10-14; 8:10
- Responsorial Psalm
- Ps 40:7-8a, 8b-9, 10, 11
- Second Reading
- Heb 10:4-10
- Gospel Acclamation
- Jn 1:14ab
- Gospel
- Lk 1:26-38