The Feast of The Annunciation of Our Lord celebrates the Angel Gabriel's appearance to the Virgin Mary, announcing that she had been chosen to be the mother of the Son of God, our Lord Jesus Christ. In Catechism class, as the Apostles’ Creed is studied, we learn that the conception of Jesus marks the first step of our Lord’s humiliation. This is the moment he took on human flesh for “us men and for our salvation.” Therefore, it marks the beginning of the New Age. The old has passed away, the new has come. Much of Christian Europe, from the 6th century and into the 18th century, recognized this by celebrating the Annunciation of our Lord as the beginning of the New Year. It was also generally believed in Medieval Europe that March 25th was the date the Lord began his work of creating the world. Therefore, the day joined together both the first creation and the new creation in Christ.

Another sub-theme for this festival is the Holy Trinity. Of course, this Biblical teaching has its own day, the first Sunday after Pentecost, but the activity of the Triune God is clearly present in this festival as well. Jesus is the Son of God and holy. The Father is referred to as “the Most High.” Mary will conceive Jesus when “the Holy Spirit” comes upon her and overshadows her. The same Spirit who hovered over the waters and brought forth creation (Genesis 1:2) will now “hover over” the waters of Mary’s womb to conceive the creation’s Redeemer. Thus, with this day we are provided with a celebration that joins the great teachings of the Trinity, Creation, Incarnation, and Redemption.

According to Luke 1:26-38: The angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town of Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the house of David, and the virgin's name was Mary. And coming to her, he said, "Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with you." But she was greatly troubled at what was said and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. Then the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name him Jesus. He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father, and he will rule over the house of Jacob forever, and of his Kingdom there will be no end." But Mary said to the angel, "How can this be, since I have no relations with a man?" And the angel said to her in reply, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore the child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God. And behold, Elizabeth, your relative, has also conceived a son in her old age, and this is the sixth month for her who was called barren; for nothing will be impossible for God." Mary said, "Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word." Then the angel departed from her.