In the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town of Galilee called Nazareth,
to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the house of David, and the virgin’s name was Mary.
And coming to her, he said, “Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with you.” (Luke 1:26-38)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/122021.cfm
The Annunciation to Mary is the second annunciation story in Luke’s gospel—the first being to Zechariah about the coming birth of John the Baptist (Lk 1:5-25). And the gospel writer wants us to compare and contrast the two annunciations. Zechariah, an aged priest, has his annunciation take place in the Temple in Jerusalem, but of course, he doubts and is struck mute until John is born. The Annunciation to the young Mary, on the other hand, takes place in the backwater town of Nazareth, and Mary responds with faith: “May it be done to me according to your word.” Today’s Christmas Carol is the very Colombian carol Zagalillos (Little Shepherds Come).
These reflections are a result of more than 40 years of ministry as a Roman Catholic priest. Most of these years I spent in the Diocese of Charlotte which covers Western North Carolina. Now I am retired, and live in Medellín, Colombia where I continue to serve as a priest in the Archdiocese of Medellín.
Monday, December 20: O CLAVIS DAVID (O KEY OF DAVID)
