ACC ~ Luke 1 v26 - 38

OVERVIEW:

The annunciation of Jesus’ birth follows upon that of John’s. The Evangelist sets the scene by introducing Gabriel, which means “strength of God.” The brevity of the sketch of Mary as a person is arresting; the only significant piece of information is her virginity, which she offers to God as a gift (BEDE). She is an espoused wife and a virgin who remains a virgin after Jesus’ birth (JEROME). She prefigures the church that is undefiled yet wed (AMBROSE). Mary’s betrothal to Joseph provides a husband for her during her pregnancy and labor (BEDE).

“Hail, full of grace” is a unique greeting for Mary (ORIGEN). The angel also announces “the Lord is with you,” a greeting that is mysterious and troubling for Mary (PETER CHRYSOLOGUS) because of her modesty (AMBROSE). The new era of salvation begins with the conception of Jesus in Mary. As Eve contained in her womb all humanity that was doomed to sin, now Mary contains in her womb the new Adam who will father a new humanity by his grace (BEDE).

The angel rejoices over Mary as the place of God’s glory, for God borrows Mary’s flesh to lead mankind to glory (STICHERA). Mary is instructed by Gabriel concerning the child who reveals to her the divine mystery of God’s action in her, for she will be a mother even though she remains a virgin (PRUDENTIUS). The Child conceived in Mary will be both Son of God and Son of man (BEDE) The name Jesus refers to his actions rather than his nature—he will save the people from their sins (EPHREM THE SYRIAN) and bring about the re-creation of the world (EXAPOSTEILARION) for what Mary conceives in her womb is none other than the Creator of all things (STICHERA). Jesus is the culmination of the Davidic line—he is from both the house of David and the house of Levi (EPHREM THE SYRIAN). This reflects the mystery of how the timeless enters time (JOHN THE MONK). In the conception of Jesus, the house of David and Jacob now becomes the universal church (BEDE).

In continuity with the miraculous births of the Old Testament, the conception and birth of Jesus exceed all interpretation (LEO THE GREAT). But unlike Zechariah, Mary’s wondering is not laced with skepticism. Mary’s question arises from her vow of virginity (AUGUSTINE), pondering the divine mystery of the virgin birth (AMBROSE). It is Gabriel who should stand in awe of Mary, not Mary of Gabriel, for she now bears in her womb the eternal Son of God (THEOPHANES).

Gabriel speaks of the Holy Spirit coming upon Mary and impregnating her (PRUDENTIUS). It prefigures our rebirth to a new life and the renewal of all humanity (PETER CHRYSOLOGUS), for the water of baptism is like the Virgin’s womb (LEO THE GREAT). The virgin birth of Jesus sets us free because it is by Spirit not by carnal lust (AUGUSTINE). It is the Holy Spirit that renders her fruitful (PRUDENTIUS). This same Spirit hovered over the waters and brought forth creation. [1] The presence of Yahweh in a cloud overshadowed the tabernacle, and the glory of Yahweh filled it (EPHREM THE SYRIAN). [2]

Since Mary bears this holy child in her womb, she now represents temple, tabernacle and ark of the covenant (THEOPHANES). And as the Spirit came down upon Mary to bring about Christ’s conception, so also the Spirit comes down now on the bread and wine to create the meal of the new creation, calling to the mind of early Christians the reception of the body and blood of Christ into the believer’s body in holy Communion (JOHN OF DAMASCUS).

As a cousin to Elizabeth, who is of the tribe of Aaron, Mary’s lineage is royal, of the house of David, and priestly, of the house of Levi, so that her Son is King and Priest (BEDE). By her obedience, she reverses the disobedience of Eve so that the first virgin’s fall through the seduction of an angel is overcome by the faithful response of this virgin, who believes the word of another angel (IRENAEUS).

[1] Gen 1:2.

[2] Ex 40:35.

1:26-29 | Gabriel Greets the Virgin Mary

GABRIEL, STRENGTH OF GOD

BEDE: Now Gabriel means “strength of God.” Rightly he shone forth with such a name, since by his testimony he bore witness to the coming birth of God in the flesh. The prophet said this in the psalm, “The Lord strong and powerful, the Lord powerful in battle” [1] —that battle, undoubtedly, in which he [Christ] came to fight “the powers of the air” [2] and to snatch the world from their tyranny. HOMILIES ON THE GOSPELS 1.3. [3]

[1] Ps 24:8 (23:8 LXX).

[2] Eph 2:2.

[3] CS 110:20*.

MARY OFFERS GOD THE GIFT OF HER VIRGINITY

BEDE: Truly full of grace was she, upon whom it was conferred by divine favor that, first among women, she should offer God the most glorious gift of her virginity. Hence she who strove to imitate the life of an angel was rightfully worthy to enjoy the experience of seeing and speaking with an angel. Truly full of grace was she to whom it was granted to give birth to Jesus Christ, the very one through whom grace and truth came. [1] And so the Lord was truly with her whom he first raised up from earthly to heavenly desires, in an unheard of love of chastity, and afterwards sanctified, by means of his human nature, with all the fullness of his divinity. Truly blessed among women was she who without precedent in the womanly state rejoiced in having the honor of parenthood along with the beauty of virginity, inasmuch as it was fitting that a virgin mother bring forth God the Son. HOMILIES ON THE GOSPELS 1.3. [2]

[1] Jn 1:17.

[2] CS 110:21-22.

THE PERPETUAL VIRGINITY OF MARY

JEROME: Holy Mary, blessed Mary, mother and virgin, virgin before giving birth, virgin after giving birth! I, for my part, marvel how a virgin is born of a virgin, and how, after the birth of a virgin, the mother is a virgin.

Would you like to know how he is born of a virgin and, after his nativity, the mother is still a virgin? “The doors were closed, and Jesus entered.” [1] There is no question about that. He who entered through the closed doors was neither a ghost nor a spirit. He was a real man with a real body. Furthermore, what does he say? “Touch me and see. For a spirit does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have.” [2] He had flesh and bones, and the doors were closed. How do flesh and bones enter through closed doors? The doors are closed, and he enters, whom we do not see entering. Whence has he entered? Everything is closed up. There is no place through which he may enter. Nevertheless he who has entered is within, and how he entered is not evident. You do not know how his entrance was accomplished, and you attribute it to the power of God. Attribute to the power of God, then, that he was born of a virgin and the virgin herself after bringing forth was a virgin still. HOMILY 87. [3]

[1] Jn 20:19, 26.

[2] Lk 24:39.

[3] FC 57:217-18*.

MARY PREFIGURES THE CHURCH

AMBROSE: And, therefore, he who had undertaken to prove the incorrupt mystery of the incarnation thought it fruitless to pursue evidence of Mary’s virginity, lest he be seen as a defender of the Virgin rather than an advocate of the mystery. Surely, when he taught that Joseph was righteous, he adequately declared that he could not violate the temple of the Holy Spirit, the mother of the Lord, the womb of the mystery. We have learned the lineage of the Truth. We have learned its counsel. Let us learn its mystery. Fittingly is she espoused, but virgin, because she prefigures the church which is undefiled [1] yet wed. A virgin conceived us of the Spirit, a Virgin brings us forth without travail. And thus perhaps Mary, wed to one, was filled by Another, because also the separate churches are indeed filled by the Spirit and by grace and yet are joined to the appearance of a temporal Priest. EXPOSITION OF THE GOSPEL OF LUKE 2.6-7. [2]

[1] Eph 5:27.

[2] EHG 36*.

WHY MARY MUST BE BETROTHED TO JOSEPH

BEDE: As to why he wished to be conceived and born not of a simple virgin but of one who was betrothed to a man, several of the Fathers have put forward reasonable answers. The best of these is to prevent her from being condemned as guilty of defilement if she were to bear a son when she had no husband. Then too, in the things the care of a home naturally demands, the woman in labor would be sustained by a husband’s care. Therefore blessed Mary had to have a husband who would be both a perfectly sure witness to her integrity and a completely trustworthy foster father for our Lord and Savior, who was born of her. He was a husband who would, in accordance with the law, make sacrificial offerings to the temple for him when he was an infant. He would take him, along with his mother, to Egypt when persecution threatened. He would bring him back and would minister to the many other needs consequent upon the weakness of the humanity which he had assumed. It did no great harm if, for a time, some believed that he was Joseph’s son, since from the apostles’ preaching after his ascension it would be plainly evident to all believers that he had been born of a virgin. HOMILIES ON THE GOSPELS 1.3. [1]

[1] CS 110:20-21.

THE ANGEL’S GREETING TO MARY UNIQUE

ORIGEN: The angel greeted Mary with a new address, which I could not find anywhere else in Scripture. I ought to explain this expression briefly. The angel says, “Hail, full of grace.” … I do not remember having read this word elsewhere in Scripture. An expression of this kind, “Hail, full of grace,” is not addressed to a male. This greeting was reserved for Mary alone. HOMILIES ON THE GOSPEL OF LUKE 6.7. [1]

[1] FC 94:26.

THE LORD’S PRESENCE MYSTERIOUS AND TROUBLING

PETER CHRYSOLOGUS: “The Lord is with you.” Why is the Lord with you? Because he is coming to you not merely to pay a visit, but he is coming down into you in a new mystery, that of being born. Fittingly did the angel add, “You are blessed among women.” Through the curse she incurred, Eve brought pains upon the wombs of women in childbirth. Now, in this very matter of motherhood, Mary, through the blessing she received, rejoices, is honored, is exalted. Now too womankind has become truly the mother of those who live through grace, just as previously by nature are subject to death. …

She soon realized that she was receiving within herself the heavenly judge, there in that same place where with lingering gaze she had just seen the harbinger from heaven. It was by a soothing motion and holy affection that God transformed the virgin into a mother for himself and made his handmaid into a parent. Nevertheless her bosom was disturbed, her mind recoiled, and her whole state became one of trembling when God, whom the whole of creation does not contain, placed his whole Self inside her bosom and made himself a man. SERMON 140. [1]

[1] FC 17:227-28*.

THE MODESTY OF THE VIRGIN

AMBROSE: Learn of character from the Virgin. Learn of modesty from the Virgin. Learn of prophecy from the Virgin. Learn in the mystery. It is the nature of virgins to tremble at every entrance of a man and to be afraid at every address by a man. Let women learn to imitate the purpose of modesty. She was alone in the inner room which none among men may see. Only the angel found her. Alone without a companion, alone without a witness, lest she be corrupted by ignoble speech, she is greeted by the angel. Learn, virgin, to shun lewdness of words. Moreover, Mary was afraid at the angel’s greeting. EXPOSITION OF THE GOSPEL OF LUKE 2.8. [1]

[1] EHG 36-37*.

DEATH THROUGH ONE WOMAN, LIFE THROUGH ANOTHER

BEDE: The first cause of human perdition occurred when a serpent was sent by the devil to a woman who was to be deceived by the spirit of pride. Moreover, the devil himself came in the serpent, who, once he had deceived our first parents, stripped humankind of the glory of immortality. Because death made its entrance through a woman, it was fitting that life return through a woman. The one, seduced by the devil through the serpent, brought a man the taste of death. The other, instructed by God through the angel, produced for the world the Author of salvation. HOMILIES ON THE GOSPELS 1.3. [1]

[1] CS 110:19-20*.

1:30-33 | Gabriel Announces Jesus’ Conception and His Designations

GOD BORROWS MARY’S FLESH TO LEAD HUMANITY TO GLORY

ANONYMOUS: Revealing to you the pre-eternal counsel, Gabriel came and stood before you, maid, and in greeting said, “Rejoice, earth that has not been sown; rejoice, burning bush that remains unconsumed; Rejoice, unsearchable depth; Rejoice, bridge that leads to heaven; Rejoice, ladder raised on high that Jacob saw; Rejoice, divine jar of manna; Rejoice, deliverance from the curse; Rejoice, restoration of Adam, the Lord is with you!”

“You appeared to me in the form of a man,” said the undefiled maid to the chief of the heavenly hosts. “How then do you speak to me of things that pass human power? For you have said that God shall be with me and shall take up his dwelling in my womb. How shall I become the spacious habitation and the holy place of him that rides upon the cherubim? [1] Do not amuse me with deceit; for I have not known pleasure, I have not entered into wedlock. How then shall I bear a child?”

Then the bodiless angel replied, “When God so wills, the order of nature is overcome, and what is beyond humankind comes to pass. Believe that my sayings are true, all-holy and immaculate lady.” And she cried aloud, “Let it be to me according to your word, and I shall bear him that is without flesh, who shall borrow flesh from me, that through this mingling he may lead humankind up to his ancient glory, for he alone has power so to do!” STICHERA OF THE ANNUNCIATION. [2]

MOTHER YET VIRGIN

PRUDENTIUS:

A heavenly fire engenders him, not flesh

Nor blood of father, nor impure desire. [3]

By power of God a spotless maid conceives,

As in her virgin womb the Spirit breathes.

The mystery of this birth confirms our faith

That Christ is God: a maiden by the Spirit

Is wed, unstained by love; her purity

Remains intact; with child within, untouched

Without, bright in her chaste fertility,

Mother yet virgin, mother that knew not man.

Why, doubter, do you shake your silly head?

An angel makes this known with holy lips.

Will you not hearken to angelic words?

The Virgin blest, the shining messenger

Believed, and by her faith she Christ conceived.

Christ comes to men of faith and spurns the heart

Irresolute in trust and reverence.

The Virgin’s instant faith attracted

Christ into her womb and hid him there till birth.

THE DIVINITY OF CHRIST 566-84. [4]

[1] Ps 18:10 (17:11 LXX).

[2] FM 268.

[3] Jn 1:13.

[4] FC 52:24.

JESUS IS SON OF GOD AND SON OF MAN

BEDE: We should carefully note the order of the words here, and the more firmly they are engrafted in our heart, the more evident it will be that the sum total of our redemption consists in them. For they proclaim with perfect clarity that the Lord Jesus, that is, our Savior, was both the true Son of God the Father and the true Son of a mother who was a human being. “Behold,” he says, “you will conceive in your womb and give birth to a son”—acknowledge that this true human being assumed the true substance of flesh from the flesh of the Virgin! “He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High”—confess too that this same Son is true God of true God, coeternal Son forever of the eternal Father! HOMILIES ON THE GOSPELS 1.3. [1]

[1] CS 110:22.

JESUS WILL SAVE HIS PEOPLE FROM SIN

EPHREM THE SYRIAN: The words “in the sixth month” are reckoned in relation to Elizabeth’s pregnancy. “The angel was sent to a virgin,” and he said to her, “Behold, in your virginity you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus.” He was speaking about him who was to appear in the body. He did not say to her, “that name which is called Jesus,” but “you shall call his name.” This shows that this name is of the economy which is through the body, since Jesus in Hebrew means “Savior.” For the angel said, “You shall call his name Jesus,” that is, Savior, “for he shall save his people from sins.” This name therefore refers not to his nature but to his deeds. COMMENTARY ON TATIAN’S DIATESSARON 25. [1]

[1] ECTD 52*.

MARY’S CONCEPTION OF JESUS HERALDS THE RE-CREATION OF THE WORLD

ANONYMOUS: The captain of the angelic hosts was sent by God Almighty to the pure Virgin to announce the good tidings of a strange and secret wonder: that God as man would be born a child of her without seed, fashioning again the whole human race! Proclaim, people, the good tidings of the re-creation of the world! EXAPOSTEILARION OF THE ANNUNCIATION. [1]

[1] FM 458-59**.

MARY CONCEIVES THE CREATOR OF ALL THINGS

ANONYMOUS: Gabriel flew down from the vault of heaven and came to Nazareth; standing before the virgin Mary, he cried to her, “Rejoice! You shall conceive a son more ancient than Adam, the Creator of all things and Savior of those who cry to you. Rejoice, pure virgin!”

Gabriel brought from heaven good tidings to the Virgin, and he cried out to her, “Rejoice! You shall conceive him whom the world cannot contain; he shall be contained within your womb. You shall bear him who shone forth from the Father before the morning star!” [1]

The coeternal Word of the Father who has no beginning, not being parted from the things on high, has now descended here below, in his boundless love taking pity on fallen humankind. He has assumed the poverty of Adam, clothing himself in a form strange to him. STICHERA OF THE ANNUNCIATION. [2]

[1] Ps 110:3 (109:3 LXX).

[2] FM 459**.

MARY’S GENEALOGY:

HOUSE OF DAVID AND LEVI

EPHREM THE SYRIAN: From what the angel said to Mary, namely, “Elizabeth, your kinswoman,” it could be supposed that Mary was from the house of Levi. Nevertheless up to this, the prophecy was established within the framework of the husbands. The family of David continued as far as Joseph, who had espoused her, and the birth of her child was reckoned through the framework of the men, for the sake of the family of David. It is in Christ that the seed and family of David are brought to completion. Scripture is silent about Mary’s genealogy since it is the generations of men that it numbers and reckons. If Scripture had been accustomed to indicate the family line through the mothers, it would be in order for one to seek the family of Mary. But, lest the words “Elizabeth, your kinswoman” were to show that Mary was also from the house of Levi, take note that the Evangelist has said elsewhere, concerning Joseph and Mary, that “they were both of the house of David.” [1] The angel did not say to Mary that Elizabeth was her sister but “Elizabeth, your kinswoman.” COMMENTARY ON TATIAN’S DIATESSARON 1.25. [2]

[1] See Lk 1:27; 2:4.

[2] ECTD 53-54*.

THE MYSTERY OF THE TIMELESS ENTERING TIME

JOHN THE MONK: Wonder! God is come among humanity; he who cannot be contained is contained in a womb; the timeless enters time, and great mystery: his conception is without seed, his emptying past telling! So great is this mystery! For God empties himself, takes flesh and is fashioned as a creature, when the angel tells the pure Virgin of her conception: “Rejoice, you who are full of grace; the Lord who has great mercy is with you!” STICHERA OF ANNUNCIATION. [1]

[1] FM 443-44*.

THE HOUSE OF DAVID AND JACOB IS THE UNIVERSAL CHURCH

BEDE: The time had come when, having redeemed the world through his blood, he was to be acknowledged as king not of the house of David alone but also of the whole church; moreover, that he was maker and governor of all generations. Hence the angel properly said afterwards, “and the Lord God will give him the seat of David his father,” and he immediately added, “and he will reign in the house of Jacob forever.” Now the house of Jacob refers to the universal church, which through its faith in and confession of Christ pertains to the heritage of the patriarchs—either among those who took their physical origin from the stock of the patriarchs or among those who, though brought forth with respect to the flesh from other countries, were reborn in Christ by the spiritual washing. HOMILIES ON THE GOSPELS 1.3. [1]

[1] CS 110:23*.

1:34-35 | The Conception of Jesus and More Designations of the Messiah

EXCEEDING ALL UNDERSTANDING

LEO THE GREAT: But the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ exceeds all understanding and goes beyond any precedent. SERMON 30.4.2. [1]

[1] FC 93:128-29*.

MARY’S VOW OF VIRGINITY

AUGUSTINE: Indeed, her virginity was itself more beautiful and more pleasing, because Christ, in his conception, did not himself take away that which he was preserving from violation by humanity; but, before he was conceived he chose one already consecrated to God of whom he would be born. HOLY VIRGINITY 4. [1]

[1] FC 27:146*.

THE VIRGIN BIRTH A DIVINE MYSTERY

AMBROSE: Here Mary seems to have disbelieved, unless you pay close attention, for it is not right that she who was chosen to bear the only-begotten Son of God should seem to have been without faith. And how could this be? Although the prerogative of the Mother, on whom a greater prerogative is straightway to be conferred, is intact, how could it be that Zechariah who had not believed was condemned to silence, but Mary, if she had not believed, would be exalted by the infusion of the Holy Spirit? But with a greater prerogative, also a greater faith must be reserved for her. But Mary must both believe, and not so heedlessly usurp. She must believe the angel and not usurp divine things. Nor is it easy to know “the mystery which has been hidden from eternity in God,” [1] which the higher powers could not know either. Nevertheless she did not deny the faith, she did not refuse the duty, but she conformed her will, she promised obedience. For truly when she said, “How shall this be?” she did not doubt concerning the outcome but sought the nature of this same outcome. EXPOSITION OF THE GOSPEL OF LUKE 2.14. [2]

[1] Eph 3:9; cf. Col 1:26.

[2] EHG 40*.

GABRIEL SHOULD FEAR MARY, NOT MARY GABRIEL

THEOPHANES: Theotokos: Make plain to me, how I, a virgin, shall bear him?

The angel: You seek to know from me the manner of your conceiving, Virgin, but this is beyond all interpretation! The Holy Spirit will overshadow you in his creative power and shall make this come to pass!

Theotokos: When she accepted the suggestion of the serpent, my mother Eve was banished from divine delight. Therefore I fear your strange greeting, for I take care that I not slip.

The angel: I am sent as God’s messenger to disclose the divine will to you. Why are you afraid of me, undefiled one? I rather am afraid of you! Why do you stand in awe of me, O lady, who stand in reverent awe of you? CANON OF ANNUNCI-ATION. [1]

THE IMPREGNATING SPIRIT

PRUDENTIUS:

He had to be redeemed: my Spirit came down

And impregnated flesh made from the dust

With the divine nature; God has assumed

Humanity, joining it with divinity,

And kindled in men’s hearts new love of me.

AGAINST SYMMACHUS 2.265-69. [2]

[1] FM 450**.

[2] FC 52:149.

JESUS’ BIRTH PREFIGURES OUR BIRTH TO NEW LIFE

PETER CHRYSOLOGUS: “Who was born from the Holy Spirit.” Precisely thus is Christ born for you, in such a way that he may change your own manner of birth. … Formerly, death awaited you as the setting sun of your life; he wants you to have a new birth of life.

“Who was born from the Holy Spirit of the Virgin Mary.” Where the Spirit is begetting, and a virgin giving birth, everything carried on is divine; nothing of it is merely human. SERMON 57. [1]

[1] FC 17:107.

THE WATER OF BAPTISM IS LIKE THE VIRGIN’S WOMB

LEO THE GREAT: Each one is a partaker of this spiritual origin in regeneration. To every one, when he is reborn, the water of baptism is like the Virgin’s womb, for the same Holy Spirit fills the font, who filled the Virgin, that the sin, which that sacred conception overthrew, may be taken away by this mystical washing. SERMON 24.3. [1]

[1] NPNF 2 12:135*.

FREEDOM THROUGH THE VIRGIN BIRTH

AUGUSTINE: The first sinner, the first transgressor, begot sinners liable to death. To heal them, the Savior came from the Virgin; because he didn’t come to you the way you came, seeing that he did not originate from the sexual appetite of male and female, not from that chain of lust. The Holy Spirit, it says, will come upon you. That was said to the Virgin glowing with faith, not seething with carnal lust. The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Being overshadowed like that, how could she be seething with the heat of sexual desire? So, because he didn’t come to you the way you came, he sets you free. SERMON 153.14. [1]

FRUITFUL BY THE HOLY SPIRIT

PRUDENTIUS:

When God’s coming draws near, the angel Gabriel advances

From the Father’s high throne and enters the house of the Virgin.

“Mary,” he says, “the Holy Spirit will render you fruitful,

And you shall give birth to the Christ, O glorious Virgin.”

SCENES FROM SACRED HISTORY 25. [2]

[1] WSA 3 5:65.

[2] FC 52:187.

HOVERING SPIRIT SANCTIFIES FALLEN CREATION

EPHREM THE SYRIAN: It was fitting that the Architect of the works of creation should come and raise up the house that had fallen and that the hovering Spirit should sanctify the buildings that were unclean. Thus, if the Progenitor entrusted the judgment that is to come to his Son, it is clear that he accomplished the creation of humanity and its restoration through him as well. He was the live coal, which had come to kindle the briars and thorns. [1] He dwelt in the womb and cleansed it and sanctified the place of the birth pangs and the curses. [2] The flame, which Moses saw, was moistening the bush [3] and distilling the fat lest it be inflamed. The likeness of refined gold could be seen in the bush, entering into the fire but without being consumed. This happened so that it might make known that living fire which was to come at the end, watering and moistening the womb of the Virgin and clothing it like the fire that enveloped the bush. COMMENTARY ON TATIAN’S DIATESSARON 1.25. [4]

[1] See Gen 3:18; Is 9:18.

[2] See Gen 3:16.

[3] Ex 3:2-3.

[4] ECTD 53*.

MARY NOW REPRESENTS TEMPLE, TABERNACLE AND ARK

THEOPHANES: The angel: Rejoice, lady; rejoice, most pure virgin! Rejoice, God-containing vessel! Rejoice, candlestick of the light, the restoration of Adam and the deliverance of Eve! Rejoice, holy mountain, shining sanctuary! Rejoice, bridal chamber of immortality!

Theotokos: The descent of the Holy Spirit has purified my soul; it has sanctified my body; it has made me a temple containing God, a divinely adorned tabernacle, a living sanctuary and the pure mother of life.

The angel: I see you as a lamp with many lights; a bridal chamber made by God! Spotless maiden, as an ark of gold, receive now the giver of the law, who through you has been pleased to deliver humankind’s corrupted nature! CANON OF ANNUNCIATION. [1]

[1] FM 455**.

THE HOLY SPIRIT BRINGS A NEW CREATION

JOHN OF DAMASCUS: And through the invocation the overshadowing power of the Holy Ghost becomes a rainfall for this new cultivation. For just as all things whatsoever God made he made by the operation of the Holy Ghost, so also it is by the operation of the Spirit that these things are done which surpass nature and cannot be discerned except by faith alone. “How shall this be done to me,” asked the blessed Virgin, “because I know not a man?” The archangel Gabriel answered, “The Holy Ghost shall come upon you, and the power of the Most High shall overshadow you.” And now you ask how the bread becomes the body of Christ and the wine and water the blood of Christ. And I tell you that the Holy Ghost comes down and works these things which are beyond description and understanding. ORTHODOX FAITH 4.13. [1]

[1] FC 37:357.

1:36-38 | The Sign to Mary and Her Response of Faith

JESUS FROM PRIESTLY AND ROYAL TRIBES

BEDE: Now when the mediator between God and human beings [1] appeared in the world, it was fitting that he had his physical origin from both tribes because, in the humanity which he assumed, he would possess the roles of both priest and king. HOMILY ON THE GOSPELS 1.3. [2]

[1] 1 Tim 2:5.

[2] CS 110:26-27.

MARY’S OBEDIENCE REVERSES EVE’S DISOBEDIENCE

IRENAEUS: So the Lord now manifestly came to his own. Born by his own created order that he himself bears, he by his obedience on the tree renewed and reversed what was done by disobedience in connection with a tree. The power of that seduction by which the virgin Eve, already betrothed to a man, had been wickedly seduced was broken when the angel in truth brought good tidings to the Virgin Mary, who already by her betrothal belonged to a man. For as Eve was seduced by the word of an angel to flee from God, having rebelled against his Word, so Mary by the word of an angel received the glad tidings that she would bear God by obeying his Word. The former was seduced to disobey God and so fell, but the latter was persuaded to obey God, so that the Virgin Mary might become the advocate of Eve. As the human race was subjected to death through the act of a virgin, so was it saved by a virgin was precisely balanced by the obedience of another. Then indeed the sin of the first formed man was amended by the chastisement of the First Begotten, the wisdom of the serpent was conquered by the simplicity of the dove, and the chains were broken by which we were in bondage to death. AGAINST HERESIES 5.19-20. [1]

[1] LCC 1:389-90*.