Today is March 25th, nine months until Christmas. If you know me, you know I love Christmas - and I celebrate it from the beginning of Advent until the end of Epiphany. Today is the Feast of the Annunciation. It is that day every year for centuries when Christians around the world celebrate the visit of Gabriel to Mary to tell her that she would give birth to the Son of God.
Heaven and Earth meet in Mary's news. Mary, the mother of Jesus, grew up in a devout Jewish home. She had been to the temple in Jerusalem - many Jews traveled there regularly for feasts and festivals. She had worshiped there in the Court of Women. She had been to that place where heaven and earth meet, the holiest ground in the universe.
The angel Gabriel came to Mary and said to her, 'Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you!' She was, understandably, confused. Then Gabriel said to her, seeing that she was afraid, 'Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.' The angel goes on to tell her that, though she was still a virgin, she would give birth to Jesus, and Jesus will be a king whose kingdom never ends. And then Mary remained, understandably, confused. How?!? Then she learned that the Holy Spirit would overshadow her and the power of God will make this child holy. Mary is told by the angel Gabriel that in her heaven and earth will meet. In her is holy ground. This is big news! This is troubling, confusing, and fearful news! And this is the mystery of the incarnation. And this is what we celebrate with the Feast of the Incarnation - that the everlasting God takes up residence in our temporary lives.

'Annunciation' by Pablo de Matteis, 1712.
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