The Annunciation

Happy Solemnity of the Annunciation, dear friends!

Here are some thoughts on this beautiful Feast Day:

1) For those looking for another crafty idea that you can save from year to year, here is an idea for the “Annunciation candle”:

Take a pillar candle and make a little hole in one side. Then, cut out a small picture of Jesus and place it inside the hole. Cover the hole with a small piece of cloth or tissue, and use two small thumbtacks to hold the cloth/tissue in place. The candle signifies Mary carrying Jesus, and the cloth/tissue is there because Jesus was hidden from sight and protected for those 9 months in Mary’s womb. We used a light blue candle (a color traditionally associated with the Blessed Virgin) because we had one lying around, but you could use any color and size candle and light it on the Feast of the Annunciation for years to come!

2)Today would also be a great day to pray the Angelus prayer, traditionally prayed at noon, with your children. The “L” part is for the leader, and the “R” is for the respondents. If you have older children that read, perhaps they would like a chance to lead this short and simple family prayer! Here is how it goes:

L/The Angel of the Lord declared to Mary:

R/And she conceived of the Holy Spirit.

All/Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee; blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

L/Behold the handmaid of the Lord:

R/Be it done unto me according to Thy word.

All/Hail Mary . . .

L/And the Word was made Flesh:

R/And dwelt among us.

All/Hail Mary . . .

L/Pray for us, O Holy Mother of God,

R/that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

L/Let us pray: Pour forth, we beseech Thee, O Lord, Thy grace into our hearts; that we, to whom the incarnation of Christ, Thy Son, was made known by the message of an angel, may by His Passion and Cross be brought to the glory of His Resurrection, through the same Christ Our Lord.

All/Amen.

“Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with you” (Lk 1:28)

“Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb” (Lk 1:42). Read more: http://www.ewtn.com/devotionals/prayers/angelus.htm#ixzz1HXJp6epW