The Annunciation to Mary

The Story

• Read about the angel Gabriel appearing to Mary in Luke 1:26-38.
  With younger children, you may want to focus on Luke 1:26-31, 38.
• The Annunciation to Mary Video
  A beautiful presentation of the story of Gabriel coming to Mary. The narration is faithful to the letter of the Word, and the scenes are lovingly illustrated with felt figures.

Ideas for discussion

1. Who sent the angel Gabriel to Mary? (God)
2. How did Gabriel reassure Mary? (He said, “Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women.)
3. The angel told Mary that she would conceive and give birth to a Son. Why was Mary puzzled that she would have a baby? (Mary and Joseph had promised to marry one another–they were betrothed—but they were not yet married.)
4. The angel told Mary that her baby’s soul would come from the “Holy Spirit” and the “power of the Highest” and that He would be the Son of God (Luke 1:35,37).
5. Why was Mary to name this child “Jesus?” (Jesus means Savior, so this name told people what the Lord would do when He came on earth.)
6. How do we know that Mary was willing to do as she was asked? (She said, “Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word” (Luke 1:38).) She was filled with such joy that she sang what is sometimes called the Magnificat.
7. In an article titled “Our Savior,” Geoffrey Childs asks why Christmas brings us such joy? He suggests: “It is because it promises us that we can go to heaven. The Lord is our savior. He was called Savior to Mary. He was called Savior to the shepherds. He can save us. Sometimes we feel that we ourselves are so unworthy, that we are so frail, that no one can save us. We are not worth being saved. But the Lord has the power to save each of us. And that is the message of the angel Gabriel. And that is Christmas.”

Read more about the Angel appearing to Mary

• “The Mother of the Lord” by David R. Simons (ages 3-6)
  Imagine what it must have been like to suddenly see an angel and be told such great news.
• “The Annunciation” by David R. Simons (ages 6 and up)
  This family talk explores the wonder of Mary being asked to serve a special use as the mother of the baby Lord.
• “Joy to the World the Lord Is Born!” by Evelyn Stroh (ages 7-14)
  This a lovely retelling of the Christmas story inviting us to use our imagination to picture the events leading up the Lord’s birth.
• "The Savior” by Ottar Larsen (ages 12 and up)
  In the birth of Jesus, God Himself came to visit us. The Father of Jesus was God Himself, for the angel told Joseph “that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit.”
• “The Virgin Birth” by Ormond Odhner (ages 18 and up)
  This is a brief explanation of the importance of understanding and believing in the Virgin birth.

Projects and activities for all ages

• The Angel Appears to Mary Mobile (ages 3-6)
  Make a simple mobile to show the angel Gabriel coming to tell Mary that she would give birth to a Son and should name Him Jesus.
• Angel with Mary Coloring Page by Mary S. Cooper
  This lovely illustration shows the angel Gabriel standing before Mary.
• A Picture of the Angel Gabriel (ages 6-10)
  Gives three ways make a project showing Gabriel as he brings good news to Mary.
• The Angel Appearing to Mary (ages 7-14)
  Use oil pastels and watercolors to show the angel Gabriel appearing to Mary.
• Mary and the Baby Lord Coloring Page by Josephine Ellis
  A lovely illustration of Mary holding baby Lord Jesus with two lambs nearby.
• Unto Us a Child Is Born Bookmarks (ages 7 and up)
  Three colorful bookmarks with quotations about the coming of the Lord.
• Mary’s Song of Praise (ages 11 and up)
  Mary’s song of praise, often called the Magnificat, with a colorful border.
• For Reflection: The Name Immanuel (ages 15 and up)
  Think about the name “Immanuel” which literally means “God with us.” How is the Lord with us?
• My Soul Magnifies the Lord Song
  Soprano sings Mary’s words, accompanied by piano.
• The Maidservant of the Lord Spiritual Task by David Roth (teens and up)
  Suggests ways to prepare the way for the Lord by letting Him guide our way.

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