Feast of the Annunciation of Our Lord

...Who, for us men and for our salvation, came down from heaven, and was incarnate by the Holy Ghost of the virgin Mary...


Unto the woman He said, "I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children..."


"Nevertheless she will be saved in childbearing if they continue in faith, love, and holiness, with self-control." [see Luther's commentary on 1 Timothy 2:15]


And the angel said unto her, "Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS."


...And Mary said, "Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word."


..."My soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour. For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed. For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is his name. And his mercy is on them that fear him from generation to generation. He hath shewed strength with his arm; he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. He hath put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree. He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich he hath sent empty away. He hath helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy; as he spake to our fathers, to Abraham, and to his seed for ever."