Today is the Annunciation of the Lord. After some Google searching, I now know that this is the day we recognize that Mary was visited by the angel Gabriel and given her role in carrying the Son of God. Today we remember that God decides to become one of us. Gabriel says to Mary, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and God’s power will rest upon you. For this reason the holy child will be called the Son of God” (Luke 1:35).
As we are filled with a sense of solemn anticipation during the Lenten season, in contrast, today we remember our joyous anticipation of Christ’s coming in God Incarnate. We take this day to celebrate the Annunciation of Christ’s coming. We celebrate the Gift. We celebrate the Presence. We remember Mary’s role and her own nervous anticipation after being charged with an unfathomable duty.
Though we realize the Incarnation today, the gift of Christ in human form, and how it is measured finitely from birth to death, our reading today (John 8:51-59) reminds us that there is nothing temporary about Christ’s presence. Jesus says, “Very truly, I tell you, before Abraham was, I am.” Jesus is before the incarnation, after the incarnation, and always. Today we recognize the Incarnation, and we remember Christ’s presence throughout time. We recognize Christ’s incarnation in our own time, in our own world, in our own lives. Peace be with you.
Elizabeth Peterson
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