The Feast of the Annunciation March 25 Luke 1: 26 – 38 Luke 2: 1-7

The Feast of the Annunciation March 25 One day, the angel Gabriel visited Mary and said: "God has chosen you to have a baby, and you must call him Jesus." He told her that the child would be called the Son of God. Mary bowed before the angel Gabriel, telling him she would be obedient to God and that she wanted to do as God wished.  Annunciation means the announcement to Mary by the angel Gabriel that she would be the mother of Jesus.

Task: Spend 3 minutes writing as many things that you can see on the picture (next slide) as you can. (Can you spot where the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit are on the picture?)

The Annunciation by Fra Angelico c.1432

Read the Hail Mary and the carol; Gabriel’s Message Copy down words or phrases that you most like: Why do you like them? What do these prayers tell us about the Catholic beliefs on Mary?

Read Luke 1:26-38 – The Annunciation of the Lord The Birth of Jesus Foretold 26 In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, 27 to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. 28 And he came to her and said, “Greetings, favoured one! The Lord is with you.”[a]29 But she was much perplexed by his words and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. 30 The angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favour with God. 31 And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus. 32 He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his ancestor David. 33 He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.” 34 Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I am a virgin?”[b] 35 The angel said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born[c] will be holy; he will be called Son of God. 36 And now, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son; and this is the sixth month for her who was said to be barren. 37 For nothing will be impossible with God.” 38 Then Mary said, “Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.” Then the angel departed from her.

Read Luke 1:26-38 – The Annunciation of the Lord Write your response to the following question What is Luke's message telling us: a) about Jesus? b) about Mary? c) about God?

Take a look at the following images… Think about which image you like best – style, use of colour, lighting, details etc b) which image best captures this important event

The San Marco fresco

Follow-up Discussion about these images… Think – Pair – Share Follow-up Discussion about these images… which image you like best – style, use of colour, lighting, details etc b) which image best captures this important event

What do we know about her Belief in God & Her personality? Mary's Reaction... What do we know about her Belief in God & Her personality? Making links Questioning

Luke 1:26 – 38 The Birth of Jesus Is Announced Words and phrases What is Mary : feeling, thinking, asking, praying and hoping for? Establish empathy with another person Connecting with their feelings

The Feast of the Annunciation March 25 Choose one of the personal qualities this event has shown about Mary: Explain how you could develop this quality in your life E.G. Trust, belief, obedience…

what 3 questions would you ask her If you met Mary, what 3 questions would you ask her about this experience? Reasoning and making questions

If you met Mary BEFORE this event what advice would you give her? Being absorbed in and developing an idea

“How can this be? Why has He chosen me?” Write an entry for Mary’s diary, on the evening after this event. Imagining

Who else have we studied Listening to God Who else have we studied that has listened to God's word? Revise & reflect on previous learning

Who are the other significant people in the Nativity? Revisiting something I already know

Revisiting the Nativity Story From the following slides, decide: Who is this? What are they… Hoping, praying, fearing, asking for, feeling and thinking? Words and phrases Imagining

“How can I show my support?” Joseph: “What must I do?” “How can I show my support?”

Shepherd: What do I have to give? What does He see in me?

How will this action change me? Innkeeper How will this action change me?

The Wise Men: Balthasar, Casper & Melchior Am I worthy? Who will recognise my offering/gift?

Revisiting the Nativity Story Who is this? What are they… Hoping, praying, fearing, asking for, feeling and thinking? How will this inspire your life? Words and phrases Imagining