Church of The Annunciation
The Church of the Annunciation, sometimes also referred to as the Basilica of the Annunciation, is a Catholic church in Nazareth.
I walked in and immediately noticed the Ukraine sign on the wall. Immediately, I was moved and began to get very emotional. Here I was able to travel and find peace in this church and yet there is a war raging.
This church in Nazareth is one of the Holiest Christian sites. It stands in the site that was believed to be the house of Mary, where she was announced that she will give birth to Jesus.
The Ukraine mosaic is found among 40 others located in the courtyard when we first arrived. The courtyard seems to keep the courtyard protected from the excitement on the street.
On a tour of Israel this is one spot you will be glad you have a tour guide. You cannot simply park in front of the Basilica and walk in. It is certainly a stop you need a bit of knowledge to navigate.
Upon entering, Oliver was told his clothes were not modest enough. He had shorts on and was plenty modest. We ended up using my sweatshirt to cover his knees. The standards of modesty are so strict in comparison. America has strayed so far from modesty. It was actually nice to be somewhere in which the standard of dress was so strict.
Throughout the adventure in Israel and on into Jordan and Egypt one thing I loved, was the stories the doors told. We found so many doors that told their own story. It was incredible.
The Feast of the Annunciation
Mary and Jesus©
The feast of the Annunciation marks the visit of the angel Gabriel to the Virgin Mary, during which he told her that she would be the mother of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. It is celebrated on 25 March each year.
More importantly, since it occurs 9 months before the birth of Jesus on Christmas Day, the Annunciation marks the actual incarnation of Jesus Christ - the moment that Jesus was conceived and that the Son of God became the son of the Virgin.
The festival has been celebrated since the 5th century AD.
The festival celebrates two things:
God's action in entering the human world as Jesus in order to save humanity
Humanity's willing acceptance of God's action in Mary's freely given acceptance of the task of being the Mother of God
"Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee," (in Latin Ave Maria, gratia plena, Dominus tecum)
The Bible story of the Annunciation
The story is told in Luke's Gospel, 1: 26-38.
In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin's name was Mary.
The angel went to her and said, "Greetings, you who are highly favoured! The Lord is with you."
Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be.
But the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favour with God. You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end."
"How will this be," Mary asked the angel, "since I am a virgin?"
The angel answered, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be barren is in her sixth month. For nothing is impossible with God."
"I am the Lord's servant," Mary answered. "May it be to me as you have said." Then the angel left her.
Luke 1:26-38, NIV Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society
My last writing about the annunciation is from the Qur’an. I think the power of the Annunciation and the spiritual significance of this place is better understood when we realize how many faiths believe in the Annunciation.
The Qur’an on the Annunciation of Christ
Behold! The angels said: “O Mary! Truly God has chosen you and purified you, and chosen you above the women of all the worlds. O Mary! Worship your Lord devoutly: Prostrate yourself, and bow down [in prayer] with those who bow down.” This is some of the news of the unseen that We reveal unto you [O Muhammad]: You were not with them when they cast lots with arrows as to which of them should be entrusted with the care of Mary. Nor were you with them when they disputed [the point]. Behold! The angels said: “O Mary! God gives you good news of a Word from Him: his name will be Christ Jesus, the son of Mary, honored in this world and the world to come and among those nearest to God. He shall speak to the people in the cradle and in maturity. And he shall be among the righteous.” She said: “O my Lord! How shall I have a son when no man has touched me?” He said: “God is like that. He creates what He wills. When He decrees a matter, He simply says to it ‘Be,’ and it is!’ And God will teach him the Book and Wisdom, the Torah and the Gospel, and [appoint him] a messenger to the children of Israel. (Surat al-Imran 3:42-48).
