Some years ago now, I preached a sermon on this day that began, “What if Mary had said, ‘No?’ ” It was a good opening line, but since then I’ve learned to be more careful in my reading of the New Testament. The Greek text of Luke, or a good English translation, makes it clear that the decision for Mary to have God’s Son was God’s decision, not Mary’s. So the title for today’s feast—The Annunciation of Our Lord Jesus Christ to the Blessed Virgin Mary—really is an announcement to Mary of God’s decision:
Read more