Luke 1: 26 28 The Annunciation

Target year level: Year One

Scripture text

Introduction

The Gospel of Luke is the first of a two-part work, Luke-Acts, which is sometimes thought of as a novel in two parts. The gospel gives an account of the life and mission of Jesus and the Book of Acts tells the story of the rapid expansion of the early church.

The two books were probably written in the latter decades of the first century. Even though the works are anonymous, authorship is traditionally attributed to Luke. Today, many scholars accept that the author was an inhabitant of Antioch in Syria and a companion of Paul.

Luke was writing for Greek speaking, gentile(non-Jewish) Christians. Luke’s interpretation of events is influenced by his desire to show how Christianity is compatible with citizenship in the Roman Empire, that is, how one can believe in Jesus and, at the same time, be loyal to (if not worship) the emperor.

The author paints a portrait of Jesus who is the fulfilment of God’s promises to Israel. The promises are fulfilled in unexpected ways, in that they include everyone: Jews and gentiles, men and women, tax collectors and outcasts. Luke draws Jesus as hospitable and caring for the poor and the marginalised. Mary and a number of women disciples play an important part in the Gospel.

The author used the Gospel of Mark and the sayings of source Q in his gospel and also included narratives and sayings that were not in any other gospel, such as The Prodigal Son and the Good Samaritan.

For further information, see the Teacher Background information, Who wrote the Gospels and when? and the NIV Study Bible, Introduction to Luke.

World behind the text

Luke’s gospel begins and ends in Jerusalem as the author wants to link this holy city with Jesus’ destiny, where salvation was accomplished. (New Community Bible). In Ancient Greek literature, it was conventional to write about miraculous events surrounding the births of important persons, such as those written in Diogenes Laertius’ ‘Lives,’ (Eerdmans Dictionary of the Bible). Luke gives his heroes, John the Baptist and Jesus, predictions and signs at their births.

This Annunciation account is modelled on two Old Testament patterns. A birth oracle is used in the Old Testament to announce the conception, birth and naming of a child who is to play a significant role in saving history, (Isaiah 7:14-16) and a call narrative describes the calling of leaders to a special mission, (Jer 1:4-10) (New Community Bible).

The Annunciation takes place in a humble town in Galilee, a territory separated from Judah, by Samaria. The town is inhabited by Jews and some Gentiles. Readers are first introduced to a young engaged couple, Mary and Joseph. Luke’s gospel details the action of God’s Holy Spirit, who is at the origin of who Jesus is and also provides a link between Jesus and the prophets and between Jesus and his apostles. This text explores the action of the Holy Spirit in the conception of Jesus (Michael Fallon, Luke 1:5-2:52 pdf).

Have students find Galilee and Nazareth on a map and note that Nazareth is a small town. Tell children that Mary was like other women of her age who had been promised to marry; she would have lived at home with her parents until the wedding. In those days, a woman who was not married yet or who was engaged to marry would be called a virgin.

World of the text

Students could be told that this is the beginning of a longer story and that this section helps us understand some of the words used in the Hail Mary prayer. ‘Hail Mary’ is said in the prayer rather than ‘Greetings Mary.’ Talk with the class about the word Hail and the word Greetings. Why might the prayer use ‘Hail?’ (Some scripture translations of the Greek use ‘Hail,’ as the original word is difficult to translate exactly, others use ‘Rejoice Mary’ The prayer was not widely used until much later so ‘Hail Mary’ would have been the translation of choice at the time). The other phrase used in the Hail Mary prayer is – ‘the Lord is with you.’ Luke wanted to show that at the beginning of Jesus’ life, both Mary and God were present. In Luke’s day, when someone wanted to write about a person’s life they created a picture with words; in this case - The Annunciation. From the very beginning, Luke tells of a message in his gospel - Jesus is not only a man but is also the Son of God, (Singer/Hari, 1993).

Students explore words and phrases in the scripture passage.

The Sixth Month - By using this phrase, Luke connects the two miraculous pregnancies of Elizabeth (John the Baptist) and Mary (Jesus).

Angel Gabriel - The Jewish people of the time believed that only seven angels of the highest rank were allowed into God’s presence and one of them was named Gabriel. He also appears in the Book of Daniel to announce the hour of salvation. (Dan 8:16)

Virgin - in general Greek usage, it refers to an unmarried woman.

Greetings - A formal address to Mary as a lady.

Favoured One - Mary is given this title because she is to be the mother of the Messiah and was most favoured by God. In the prayer, this phrase is linked with - ‘full of grace.’

The Lord is with you - Mary has the Lord ‘within her.’

Students may choose to illustrate the Angel Gabriel and Mary and label them with their names. Speech bubbles may be used to write part of their conversation. This could be done electronically using a suitable program (e.g. Storyjumper).

World in front of the text

What did the author (Luke) want people to know about Mary? How is this passage helpful to us when we say the Hail Mary prayer? How do we know God found Mary special?

We are also special to God. We are loved by God the Father, Jesus the Son and the Holy Spirit. What other prayer does this remind us of? (Sign of the Cross)

How can we show God that we think Mary is special too? When we say the Hail Mary prayer, what do we do to show respect? (Quiet at the start, join in, respectful voices…)

Students name times when the Hail Mary prayer is said and decorate a class chart of this prayer for use in prayer time.

References:

Eerdmans Dictionary of the Bible (David Noel Freedman (Ed.), 2000)

Experience Jesus Today. Singer, C; Hari, S, (1993) OCP Publications

www.mbfallon.com

Sacra Pagina - The Gospel of Luke (Daniel J Harrington S.J.( Ed.), 1991).

The New Community Bible. Catholic Edition (2008)