There are many characters in this Gospel scene. Perhaps you don’t know this, but when most people were illiterate and couldn’t read the Sacred Scriptures, paintings and sculptures were created precisely to put in front of the eyes of the faithful the stories they were hearing in religious celebrations. That’s how they could see and remember what they were listening to.
It was called “the Bible of the poor” – the desire to be accessible is an ancient one … So that’s why we’re here. To tell you what the evangelist St. Luke narrates in his first chapter, verses 26-38.
It’s me speaking to you now – the Archangel Gabriel, the one on the right. You see me with wings to signify I’m an angel – that means a “messenger,” so I have to move fast! And not only that, I’m called “archangel” because I’m one of the most important angels. My name is Gabriel, which in Hebrew means “God’s strength.” I was sent to the Virgin Mary to announce – hence the name Annunciation – that she would become the Mother of God. To greet her I said: Hail Mary! (Or if you prefer, you could translate with “Rejoice, Mary!”) And
I went on to tell her: “Full of grace.” This is written in the scroll in my hands, which has been lost so today it looks like I’m dancing … and why not, since Mary’s affirmative and willing yes gave such great joy?
I’ve already explained who is the woman at my side.
Above is a dove, hovering like it’s about to alight on something. It represents the Holy Spirit, which will overshadow Mary so that our Savior Jesus Christ, the Son of God, might be born of her.
Lastly, the lectern that you see with a book represents the Word of God, both prayer and the culmination of the prophecies of the Old Testament.
It’s certain that if you search on your phone for Luke 1:26-38, and read the passage, you will understand – and maybe you will also be filled with the joy of salvation, and join our happiness and dance a couple of steps too!
