SOLEMNITY OF THE ANNUNCIATION OF THE LORD Reverend Frederick L.
Miller Seminary Professor of Systematic Theology The Mystery of
the Annunciation “My souls proclaims the greatness of the Lord.”
Luke 1: 46 Artists throughout the ages have helped Christians
grasp the deep meaning of the Gospel of the Annunciation. Three
details frequently included by artists come immediately to mind.
First, Mary is often depicted kneeling with a book in her hands.
The point is that she was grounded in the Word of God and lived
in a spirit of silence and prayer. Second, the Angel Gabriel is
frequently dressed as a Deacon in these artistic renderings of
the Gospel scene. He wears a dalmatic or stole, or both. The
theological point is that Gabriel comes from God to do what
every deacon is ordained to do: He proclaims the Gospel of
salvation to Mary. Third, in some of the paintings of the
Annunciation, a ray of light from outside of the painting passes
through the Angel. The light is directed towards Mary and often
towards her ear.