The Annunciation to Mary

Search Resources

Imagine Mary’s amazement when the angel Gabriel appeared to her and said she would be the mother of the baby Lord through the miracle of the virgin birth. How wonderful it was that Mary was asked to help fulfill the prophecy given in Isaiah 7:14? “The Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel.” Though surprised by the angel’s visit and words, Mary responds, “Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word” (Luke 1:38). This is a beautiful illustration of the humility and innocence we must have for the Lord to come into our lives as our Savior.

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

Projects and activities for all ages

Sign up to receive notification when new highlights like this are published. Subscribe.