The Annunciation

بِسۡمِ ٱللهِ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ

The Annunciation to the Blessed Virgin Mary (a.s.), is the Christian celebration of the announcement by the angel Gabriel (a.s.) to the Virgin Mary (a.s.) that she would conceive and become the mother of Jesus (a.s.).  The word “Annunciation” anglicised from the Latin Vulgate verses from the Gospel according to Luke, Annuntiatio nativitatis Christi.  The word “Annunciation” is derived from the same root as the word ‘announce’.  Gabriel (a.s.) was announcing the birth of Christ (a.s.) in advance.  “Annunciation” is simply an older form of saying “announcement”.  This term has also been applied in other ways such as the annunciation of the birth of John (a.s.) and the annunciation to Mary (a.s.). 

John the Baptist’s (a.s.) birth was also announced in advance.  Both stories have multiple parallels.  In both case, the angel Gabriel (a.s.) makes the announcement to a single individual.  It was Zechariah (a.s.) in John the Baptist’s case and Mary (a.s.) in Jesus’ case.  He announces the miraculous birth of an individual who has a prominent place in God’s Plan and is met with a question in both cases.  Both Zechariah (a.s.) and Mary (a.s.) asks how it will happen.  A miraculous sign is offered as evidence for both.  Zechariah (a.s.) was struck dumb.  Mary (a.s.) was told of Elizabeth’s (r.a.) miraculous pregnancy, which was in its sixth month.  The account of the annunciation of John the Baptist (a.s.) is also in the Qur’an. 

The Christians believe, like the Muslims, that Gabriel (a.s.) told Mary (a.s.) to name her son “Jesus”, meaning “Saviour”.  Western Christians observe this event with the Feast of the Annunciation on 25^th March, nine full months before Christmas, the ceremonial birthday, mawlid, of Jesus (a.s.). 

Luke 1:26

²⁶When the sixth month came, God Sent the angel Gabriel to a city of Galilee called Nazareth. 

²⁶ Ἐν δὲ τῷ μηνὶ τῷ ἕκτῳ ἀπεστάλη ὁ ἄγγελος Γαβριὴλ ἀπὸ τοῦ θεοῦ εἰς πόλιν τῆς Γαλιλαίας ᾗ ὄνομα Ναζαρὲθ 

²⁶ In mense autem sexto, missus est angelus Gabriel a Deo in civitatem Galilææ, cui nomen Nazareth, 

According to the Gospels, the Annunciation occurred in the sixth month of Elizabeth’s (r.a.) pregnancy with John the Baptist (a.s.).  Irenaeus of Lyon regarded the conception of Jesus (a.s.) as 25^th March, coinciding with the Passion of Christ, that final period of Jesus’ (a.s.) ministry leading to his alleged crucifixion. 

Both the Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Churches believe that the Annunciation took place at Nazareth as per the Gospels, but differ on the precise location.  The Catholics believe it was at the site which is now the Basilica of the Annunciation. The Eastern Orthodox Churches believe it is the site now marked by the Greek Orthodox Church of the Annunciation. 

In the Bible, the Annunciation is narrated in the Gospel according to Luke: 

Luke 1:26-38

²⁶When the sixth month came, God Sent the angel Gabriel to a city of Galilee called Nazareth, ²⁷where a virgin dwelt, betrothed to a man of David’s lineage; his name was Joseph, and the virgin’s name was Mary.  ²⁸Into her presence, the angel came, and said, “Hail, thou who art full of grace; the Lord is with thee; Blessed art thou among women.”  ²⁹She was much perplexed at hearing him speak so, and cast about in her mind, what she was to make of such a greeting.  ³⁰Then the angel said to her, “Mary, do not be afraid; thou hast found Favour in the Sight of God.  ³¹And behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and shalt bear a son, and shalt call him Jesus.  ³²He shall be great, and men will know him for the Son of the Most High; the Lord God will Give him the throne of his father David, and he shall reign over the house of Jacob eternally; ³³his kingdom shall never have an end.”  ³⁴But Mary said to the angel, “How can that be, since I have no knowledge of man?”  ³⁵And the angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon thee, and the power of the Most High will overshadow thee.  Thus this holy offspring of thine shall be known for the Son of God.  ³⁶See, moreover, how it fares with thy cousin Elizabeth; she is old, yet she too has conceived a son; she who was reproached with barrenness is now in her sixth month, ³⁷to prove that nothing can be impossible with God.”  ³⁸And Mary said, “Behold the handmaid of the Lord; let it be unto me according to thy word.”  And with that the angel left her. 

²⁶ Ἐν δὲ τῷ μηνὶ τῷ ἕκτῳ ἀπεστάλη ὁ ἄγγελος Γαβριὴλ ἀπὸ τοῦ θεοῦ εἰς πόλιν τῆς Γαλιλαίας ᾗ ὄνομα Ναζαρὲθ ²⁷ πρὸς παρθένον ἐμνηστευμένην ἀνδρὶ ᾧ ὄνομα Ἰωσὴφ ἐξ οἴκου Δαυίδ, καὶ τὸ ὄνομα τῆς παρθένου Μαριάμ.  ²⁸ καὶ εἰσελθὼν πρὸς αὐτὴν εἶπεν: χαῖρε, κεχαριτωμένη, ὁ κύριος μετὰ σοῦ.  ²⁹ ἡ δὲ ἐπὶ τῷ λόγῳ διεταράχθη, καὶ διελογίζετο ποταπὸς εἴη ὁ ἀσπασμὸς οὗτος.  ³⁰ καὶ εἶπεν ὁ ἄγγελος αὐτῇ: μὴ φοβοῦ, Μαριάμ: εὗρες γὰρ χάριν παρὰ τῷ θεῷ: ³¹ καὶ ἰδοὺ συλλήμψῃ ἐν γαστρὶ καὶ τέξῃ υἱόν, καὶ καλέσεις τὸ ὄνομα αὐτοῦ Ἰησοῦν.  ³² οὗτος ἔσται μέγας καὶ υἱὸς ὑψίστου κληθήσεται, καὶ δώσει αὐτῷ κύριος ὁ θεὸς τὸν θρόνον Δαυὶδ τοῦ πατρὸς αὐτοῦ, ³³ καὶ βασιλεύσει ἐπὶ τὸν οἶκον Ἰακὼβ εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας, καὶ τῆς βασιλείας αὐτοῦ οὐκ ἔσται τέλος.  ³⁴ εἶπεν δὲ Μαριὰμ πρὸς τὸν ἄγγελον: πῶς ἔσται τοῦτο, ἐπεὶ ἄνδρα οὐ γινώσκω; ³⁵ καὶ ἀποκριθεὶς ὁ ἄγγελος εἶπεν αὐτῇ, πνεῦμα ἅγιον ἐπελεύσεται ἐπὶ σέ, καὶ δύναμις ὑψίστου ἐπισκιάσει σοι: διὸ καὶ τὸ γεννώμενον ἅγιον κληθήσεται, υἱὸς θεοῦ.  ³⁶ καὶ ἰδοὺ Ἐλισάβετ ἡ συγγενίς σου καὶ αὐτὴ συνείληφεν υἱὸν ἐν γήρει αὐτῆς, καὶ οὗτος μὴν ἕκτος ἐστὶν αὐτῇ τῇ καλουμένῃ στείρᾳ: ³⁷ ὅτι οὐκ ἀδυνατήσει παρὰ τοῦ θεοῦ πᾶν ῥῆμα.  ³⁸ εἶπεν δὲ Μαριάμ: ἰδοὺ ἡ δούλη κυρίου: γένοιτό μοι κατὰ τὸ ῥῆμά σου. καὶ ἀπῆλθεν ἀπ' αὐτῆς ὁ ἄγγελος. 

²⁶ In mense autem sexto, missus est angelus Gabriel a Deo in civitatem Galilææ, cui nomen Nazareth, ²⁷ ad virginem desponsatam viro, cui nomen erat Joseph, de domo David: et nomen virginis Maria.  ²⁸ Et ingressus angelus ad eam dixit: Ave gratia plena: Dominus tecum: benedicta tu in mulieribus.  ²⁹ Quæ cum audisset, turbata est in sermone ejus, et cogitabat qualis esset ista salutatio.  ³⁰ Et ait angelus ei: Ne timeas, Maria: invenisti enim gratiam apud Deum.  ³¹ Ecce concipies in utero, et paries filium, et vocabis nomen ejus Jesum: ³² hic erit magnus, et Filius Altissimi vocabitur, et dabit illi Dominus Deus sedem David patris ejus: et regnabit in domo Jacob in æternum, ³³ et regni ejus non erit finis.  ³⁴ Dixit autem Maria ad angelum: Quomodo fiet istud, quoniam virum non cognosco?  ³⁵ Et respondens angelus dixit ei: Spiritus Sanctus superveniet in te, et virtus Altissimi obumbrabit tibi.  Ideoque et quod nascetur ex te sanctum, vocabitur Filius Dei.  ³⁶ Et ecce Elisabeth cognata tua, et ipsa concepit filium in senectute sua: et hic mensis sextus est illi, quæ vocatur sterilis: ³⁷ quia non erit impossibile apud Deum omne verbum.  ³⁸ Dixit autem Maria: Ecce ancilla Domini: fiat mihi secundum verbum tuum. Et discessit ab illa angelus. 

The Gospel according to Matthew has a separate, briefer annunciation given to Joseph: 

Matthew 1:18-21

¹⁸And this was the manner of Christ’s birth.  His mother, Mary, was espoused to Joseph, but they had not yet come together, when she was found to be with child, by the Power of the Holy Ghost.  ¹⁹Whereupon her husband Joseph (for he was a right-minded man, and would not have her put to open shame) was for sending her away in secret.  ²⁰But hardly had this thought come to his mind, when an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take thy wife Mary to thyself, for it is by the Power of the Holy Ghost that she has conceived this child; ²¹and she will bear a son, whom thou shalt call Jesus, for he is to save his people from their sins.” 

¹⁸ Τοῦ δὲ Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ ἡ γένεσις οὕτως ἦν. μνηστευθείσης τῆς μητρὸς αὐτοῦ Μαρίας τῷ Ἰωσήφ, πρὶν ἢ συνελθεῖν αὐτοὺς εὑρέθη ἐν γαστρὶ ἔχουσα ἐκ πνεύματος ἁγίου.  ¹⁹ Ἰωσὴφ δὲ ὁ ἀνὴρ αὐτῆς, δίκαιος ὢν καὶ μὴ θέλων αὐτὴν δειγματίσαι, ἐβουλήθη λάθρᾳ ἀπολῦσαι αὐτήν.  ²⁰ ταῦτα δὲ αὐτοῦ ἐνθυμηθέντος ἰδοὺ ἄγγελος κυρίου κατ' ὄναρ ἐφάνη αὐτῷ λέγων, Ἰωσὴφ υἱὸς Δαυίδ, μὴ φοβηθῇς παραλαβεῖν Μαρίαν τὴν γυναῖκά σου, τὸ γὰρ ἐν αὐτῇ γεννηθὲν ἐκ πνεύματός ἐστιν ἁγίου: ²¹ τέξεται δὲ υἱὸν καὶ καλέσεις τὸ ὄνομα αὐτοῦ Ἰησοῦν, αὐτὸς γὰρ σώσει τὸν λαὸν αὐτοῦ ἀπὸ τῶν ἁμαρτιῶν αὐτῶν. 

¹⁸ Christi autem generatio sic erat: cum esset desponsata mater ejus Maria Joseph, antequam convenirent inventa est in utero habens de Spiritu Sancto.  ¹⁹ Joseph autem vir ejus cum esset justus, et nollet eam traducere, voluit occulte dimittere eam.  ²⁰ Hæc autem eo cogitante, ecce angelus Domini apparuit in somnis ei, dicens: Joseph, fili David, noli timere accipere Mariam conjugem tuam: quod enim in ea natum est, de Spiritu Sancto est. 

In Eastern Christianity, both Catholic and Orthodox, Mary (a.s.) is referred to as “Theotokos”, “the God-bearer”.  The traditional troparion, hymn, for the Annunciation is traced back to the Pauline Bishop, Athanasius of Alexandria, the same one by which the Athanasian Creed is named for. 

“Today is the beginning of our Salvation,

And the Revelation of the eternal mystery.

The Son of God becomes the Son of the Virgin,

As Gabriel announces the coming of Grace.

Together with him let us cry to the Theotokos:

‘Rejoice, O Full of Grace, the Lord is with you!’” 

The Feast of the Annunciation is one of the twelve Great Feasts of the church year, and is among the eight Feasts of the Lord.  The Annunciation is of such importance in Orthodox theology that the Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom is always celebrated on the feast, even if it falls on Great and Holy Friday, the day of Jesus’ (a.s.) alleged crucifixion.  If the Annunciation falls on Pascha, Easter Sunday, itself, a joint celebration known as Kyriopascha, it is celebrated jointly with the Resurrection, the focus of Easter.  The Annunciation is also called Euangelismos, Evangelism.  In Greek, this literally means “spreading the Good News”. 

Ephraim the Syrian taught that the date of the conception of Jesus (a.s.) was 10^th Nisan in the Hebrew Calendar, the day in which the Passover lamb was selected according to Exodus 12.  In some years, the 10^th Nisan falls on the 25^th March, the traditional date for the Feast of the Annunciation and is an official holiday in Lebanon. 

The Annunciation is also Mentioned in the Qur’an: 

سُوۡرَةُ آل عِمرَان

إِذۡ قَالَتِ ٱلۡمَلَـٰٓٮِٕكَةُ يَـٰمَرۡيَمُ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يُبَشِّرُكِ بِكَلِمَةٍ۬ مِّنۡهُ ٱسۡمُهُ ٱلۡمَسِيحُ عِيسَى ٱبۡنُ مَرۡيَمَ وَجِيهً۬ا فِى ٱلدُّنۡيَا وَٱلۡأَخِرَةِ وَمِنَ ٱلۡمُقَرَّبِينَ (٤٥) وَيُڪَلِّمُ ٱلنَّاسَ فِى ٱلۡمَهۡدِ وَڪَهۡلاً۬ وَمِنَ ٱلصَّـٰلِحِينَ (٤٦) قَالَتۡ رَبِّ أَنَّىٰ يَكُونُ لِى وَلَدٌ۬ وَلَمۡ يَمۡسَسۡنِى بَشَرٌ۬‌ۖ قَالَ ڪَذَٲلِكِ ٱللَّهُ يَخۡلُقُ مَا يَشَآءُ‌ۚ إِذَا قَضَىٰٓ أَمۡرً۬ا فَإِنَّمَا يَقُولُ لَهُ ۥ كُن فَيَكُونُ (٤٧) وَيُعَلِّمُهُ ٱلۡكِتَـٰبَ وَٱلۡحِڪۡمَةَ وَٱلتَّوۡرَٮٰةَ وَٱلۡإِنجِيلَ (٤٨) وَرَسُولاً إِلَىٰ بَنِىٓ إِسۡرَٲٓءِيلَ أَنِّى قَدۡ جِئۡتُكُم بِـَٔايَةٍ۬ مِّن رَّبِّڪُمۡ‌ۖ أَنِّىٓ أَخۡلُقُ لَڪُم مِّنَ ٱلطِّينِ كَهَيۡـَٔةِ ٱلطَّيۡرِ فَأَنفُخُ فِيهِ فَيَكُونُ طَيۡرَۢا بِإِذۡنِ ٱللَّهِ‌ۖ وَأُبۡرِئُ ٱلۡأَڪۡمَهَ وَٱلۡأَبۡرَصَ وَأُحۡىِ ٱلۡمَوۡتَىٰ بِإِذۡنِ ٱللَّهِ‌ۖ وَأُنَبِّئُكُم بِمَا تَأۡكُلُونَ وَمَا تَدَّخِرُونَ فِى بُيُوتِڪُمۡ‌ۚ إِنَّ فِى ذَٲلِكَ لَأَيَةً۬ لَّكُمۡ إِن كُنتُم مُّؤۡمِنِينَ (٤٩) وَمُصَدِّقً۬ا لِّمَا بَيۡنَ يَدَىَّ مِنَ ٱلتَّوۡرَٮٰةِ وَلِأُحِلَّ لَڪُم بَعۡضَ ٱلَّذِى حُرِّمَ عَلَيۡڪُمۡ‌ۚ وَجِئۡتُكُم بِـَٔايَةٍ۬ مِّن رَّبِّڪُمۡ فَٱتَّقُواْ ٱللَّهَ وَأَطِيعُونِ (٥٠) إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ رَبِّى وَرَبُّڪُمۡ فَٱعۡبُدُوهُ‌ۗ هَـٰذَا صِرَٲطٌ۬ مُّسۡتَقِيمٌ۬ (٥١) 

Behold!  The angels said, “O Mary!  Allah Gives you Glad Tidings of a Word from Him: his name will be Christ Jesus, the son of Mary, held in honour in this world and the Hereafter and of (the company of) those nearest to Allah.  He shall speak to the people in childhood and in maturity and he shall be (of the company) of the righteous.”  She said, “O my Lord!  How shall I have a son when no man has touched me?”  He said, “Even so, Allah Creates what He Wills; when He has Decreed a plan, He but Say to it ‘Be’, and it is!’  And Allah will Teach him the Book and Wisdom, the Torah and the Gospel.  And (Appoint him) a Messenger to the Children of Israel, (with this message): ‘I have come to you with a Sign from your Lord, in that I make for you out of clay as it were the figure of a bird, and breathe into it, and it becomes a bird by Allah’s Leave; and I heal those born blind, and the lepers and I quicken the dead by Allah’s Leave; and I declare to you what you eat, and what you store in your houses.  Surely therein is a Sign for you if you did believe.’  ‘(I have come to you), to attest the Law which was before me, and to make lawful to you part of what was (before) forbidden to you; I have come to you with a Sign from your Lord.  So fear Allah and obey me.’  It is Allah who is my Lord and your Lord; then worship Him.  This is a way that is straight.” (Surah Ali ‘Imran:45-51) 

The Annunciation is also mentioned in Surah Maryam.  Muslim tradition holds that it took place during Ramadhan. 

سُوۡرَةُ مَریَم

وَٱذۡكُرۡ فِى ٱلۡكِتَـٰبِ مَرۡيَمَ إِذِ ٱنتَبَذَتۡ مِنۡ أَهۡلِهَا مَكَانً۬ا شَرۡقِيًّ۬ا (١٦) فَٱتَّخَذَتۡ مِن دُونِهِمۡ حِجَابً۬ا فَأَرۡسَلۡنَآ إِلَيۡهَا رُوحَنَا فَتَمَثَّلَ لَهَا بَشَرً۬ا سَوِيًّ۬ا (١٧) قَالَتۡ إِنِّىٓ أَعُوذُ بِٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ مِنكَ إِن كُنتَ تَقِيًّ۬ا (١٨) قَالَ إِنَّمَآ أَنَا۟ رَسُولُ رَبِّكِ لِأَهَبَ لَكِ غُلَـٰمً۬ا زَڪِيًّ۬ا (١٩) قَالَتۡ أَنَّىٰ يَكُونُ لِى غُلَـٰمٌ۬ وَلَمۡ يَمۡسَسۡنِى بَشَرٌ۬ وَلَمۡ أَكُ بَغِيًّ۬ا (٢٠) قَالَ كَذَٲلِكِ قَالَ رَبُّكِ هُوَ عَلَىَّ هَيِّنٌ۬‌ۖ وَلِنَجۡعَلَهُ ۥۤ ءَايَةً۬ لِّلنَّاسِ وَرَحۡمَةً۬ مِّنَّا‌ۚ وَكَانَ أَمۡرً۬ا مَّقۡضِيًّ۬ا (٢١) ۞ فَحَمَلَتۡهُ فَٱنتَبَذَتۡ بِهِۦ مَكَانً۬ا قَصِيًّ۬ا (٢٢)فَأَجَآءَهَا ٱلۡمَخَاضُ إِلَىٰ جِذۡعِ ٱلنَّخۡلَةِ قَالَتۡ يَـٰلَيۡتَنِى مِتُّ قَبۡلَ هَـٰذَا وَڪُنتُ نَسۡيً۬ا مَّنسِيًّ۬ا (٢٣) فَنَادَٮٰهَا مِن تَحۡتِہَآ أَلَّا تَحۡزَنِى قَدۡ جَعَلَ رَبُّكِ تَحۡتَكِ سَرِيًّ۬ا (٢٤) وَهُزِّىٓ إِلَيۡكِ بِجِذۡعِ ٱلنَّخۡلَةِ تُسَـٰقِطۡ عَلَيۡكِ رُطَبً۬ا جَنِيًّ۬ا (٢٥) فَكُلِى وَٱشۡرَبِى وَقَرِّى عَيۡنً۬ا‌ۖ فَإِمَّا تَرَيِنَّ مِنَ ٱلۡبَشَرِ أَحَدً۬ا فَقُولِىٓ إِنِّى نَذَرۡتُ لِلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ صَوۡمً۬ا فَلَنۡ أُڪَلِّمَ ٱلۡيَوۡمَ إِنسِيًّ۬ا (٢٦) 

Relate in the Book (the story of) Mary, when she withdrew from her family to a place in the East.  She placed a screen (to screen herself) from them: then We Sent to her Our angel, and he appeared before her as a man in all respects.  She said, “I seek Refuge from thee to (Allah) Most Gracious: (come not near) if you do fear Allah.”  He said, “Nay, I am only a messenger from your Lord (to announce) to you the Gift of a holy son.”  She said, “How shall I have a son, seeing that no man has touched me, and I am not unchaste?”  He said, “So (it will be): your Lord Says ‘That is Easy for Me: and (We wish) to Appoint him as a Sign unto men and a Mercy from Us’: it is a matter (so) Decreed.”  So she conceived him, and she retired with him to a remote place.  And the pains of childbirth drove her to the trunk of a palm-tree: she cried (in her anguish): “Ah!  Would that I had died before this!  Would that I had been a thing forgotten and out of sight!”  But (a voice) cried to her from beneath the (palm-tree), “Grieve not!  For your Lord has Provided a rivulet beneath you; and shake towards yourself the trunk of the palm-tree: it will let fall fresh ripe dates upon you.  So eat and drink and cool (your) eye.  And if you do see any man, say, ‘I have vowed a fast to (Allah) Most Gracious, and this day will I enter into no talk with any human being.’” (Surah Maryam:16-26) 

The Protestant churches, except for the Anglicans who hold the Catholic rites, do not hold the Annunciation in the same esteem as the older Christian churches.  Since 1889, many Protestant writers have tried to show that the following verses, containing the message of conception through the Holy Ghost are interpolated. 

Luke 1:34-35

³⁴But Mary said to the angel, “How can that be, since I have no knowledge of man?”  ³⁵And the angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon thee, and the power of the Most High will overshadow thee.  Thus this holy offspring of thine shall be known for the Son of God. 

³⁴ εἶπεν δὲ Μαριὰμ πρὸς τὸν ἄγγελον: πῶς ἔσται τοῦτο, ἐπεὶ ἄνδρα οὐ γινώσκω; ³⁵ καὶ ἀποκριθεὶς ὁ ἄγγελος εἶπεν αὐτῇ, πνεῦμα ἅγιον ἐπελεύσεται ἐπὶ σέ, καὶ δύναμις ὑψίστου ἐπισκιάσει σοι: διὸ καὶ τὸ γεννώμενον ἅγιον κληθήσεται, υἱὸς θεοῦ. 

³⁴ Dixit autem Maria ad angelum: Quomodo fiet istud, quoniam virum non cognosco?  ³⁵ Et respondens angelus dixit ei: Spiritus Sanctus superveniet in te, et virtus Altissimi obumbrabit tibi. Ideoque et quod nascetur ex te sanctum, vocabitur Filius Dei. 

Hermann Karl Usener derived the origin of the “myth” from pagan hero worship.  But Carl Gustav Adolf von Harnack tried to prove that it was of Judaic origin, specifically from the Book of Isaiah. 

Isaiah 7:14

¹⁴ Sign you ask none, but Sign the Lord will Give you.  Maid shall be with child, and shall bear a son, that shall be called Emmanuel. 

¹⁴ καὶ τὰς νουμηνίας ὑμῶν καὶ τὰς ἑορτὰς ὑμῶν μισεῖ ἡ ψυχή μου ἐγενήθητέ μοι εἰς πλησμονήν οὐκέτι ἀνήσω τὰς ἁμαρτίας ὑμῶν 

¹⁴ Calendas vestras, et solemnitates vestras odivit anima mea: facta sunt mihi molesta; laboravi sustinens. 

However, this is prophecy and does not, in any way, contradict but rather affirms the passages in the Gospels and the Qur’an.  Bertram Otto Bardenhewer, the German Catholic patrologist, however, fully established the authenticity of the text of the Gospels from a Christian point of view.  In any case, I was never a fan of so-called higher criticism.  It was a post-modernist affection and another manifestation of rationalist arrogance, limited and limiting. 

The author of the Gospel according to Luke likely took his account of the event from an older account written in Aramaic or Hebrew.  The Catholics believe that the opinion that Joseph at the time of the Annunciation was an aged widower and Mary (a.s.) being twelve or fifteen years of age, is founded only upon apocryphal documents.  The local tradition of Nazareth says that the angel, who is never actually named, met Mary (a.s.) and greeted her at the fountain, and when she fled from him in fear, he followed her into the house and there continued his message.  The year and day of the Annunciation cannot be determined as long as new material does not throw more light on the subject.  The present date of the feast, 25^th March, is dependent upon the date of the older feast of Christmas. 

Muslims believe, based on our own sirah accounts, Mary (a.s.) was around 12 years of age or so at the youngest.  But this cannot be verified.  We believe that there was no Joseph.  This is further explained in The Islamic Understanding of Mary (a.s.) Being Married.  As mentioned above, we believe the Annunciation occurred in Ramadhan.  We also believe that she was in her mihrab in the Temple. 

The following is strictly from a Catholic and Orthodox understanding since find Protestant scholarship on Scripture to be of a lower standard.  The Catholic and Orthodox  Churches believe the Annunciation is the beginning of Jesus (a.s.) in His “human” nature.  Through his mother, he is human.  If the virginity of Mary (a.s.) before, during, and after the conception of her “Divine” son were to be always considered part of the deposit of faith, this could be done only on account of the ‘historical’ facts and testimonials.  The “Incarnation” of the “Son of God” did not in itself necessitate this exception from natural laws.  Jesus (a.s.) as the “Redeemer” does not arrive in the way of earthly generations.  Conception is by the power of the Holy Spirit entering the chaste womb of the Virgin Mary (a.s.), forming the “humanity” of Christ (a.s.).  Early Church Fathers such as Eusebius Sophronius Hieronymus Jerome of Stridon, Cyrillus Hierosolymitanus of Jerusalem, Ephrem the Syrian, and Augustine of Hippo, say that the consent of Mary (a.s.) was essential to the redemption.  It was the Will of God. 

Thomas Aquinas, in his Summa Theologica, wrote that the redemption of mankind should depend upon the consent of the Virgin Mary (a.s.).  This does not mean that God in His Plans was limited by the will of something in Creation, and that man would not have been ‘Redeemed’, if Mary (a.s.) had not consented.  It only means that the consent of Mary (a.s.) was Foreseen, and was, therefore, received as essential in the Divine Design. 

To us, as Muslims, we should honour the Annunciation as what it is, a commemoration of the miraculous conception of one of our greatest prophet, Jesus (a.s.).  The significance of this event is something Mentioned and Affirmed in the Qur’an.