Messengers

Meeting at the Golden Gate, Giotto
in the Scrovegni Chapel, Padua

In the Catholic Church, today, December 8, is the Feast of the Immaculate Conception. We believe that Mary, was preserved from original sin, which is a difficult teaching for most people who aren't Catholic, and about which I am not going to say much (although there is plenty out there on the internet if you interested) except that we believe this, not because of any merit of hers, but in preparation for her role as the Mother of Jesus.

The picture above, the work of Giotto di Bondone, is found in the Scrovegni Chapel in Padua. It is part of a series of paintings that illustrate the life of Joachim and Anne, the parents of Mary, as related in the Protoevengelium of James, which is an early apocryphal gospel. As such, it is not authoritative, and is likely at least in part in error. That, however, does not mean that it is entirely without truth, and the tradition that Joachim and Anne were the parents of Mary was ubiquitous in the early church, and they are honored as saints in both the Catholic and Ortodox Churches.

The story of Joachim and Anne is much like that of the parents of Isaac, Samuel, Samson, and John the Baptist. An elderly couple, is unable to conceive a child and one (or in this case both of them) is sent a heavenly messenger to announce that they will become parents. The picture above, represents the meeting of Joachim and Anne at the Beautiful Gate in Jerusalem after both have received the good news.

You can see the rest of the paintings in this series here.

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The gospel reading for the feastday was Luke 1:26-38, the visit of the Angel Gabriel to Mary to announce the coming of the Messiah, so I chose this song.

The angel Gabriel from heaven came,

 wings as drifted snow, his eyes as flame;

"All hail," said he to meek and lowly Mary,

"Most highly favored maiden." Gloria!

"I come from heav'n to tell the Lord's decree:

A blessed virgin mother you shall be.

Your Son shall be Emmanuel, by seers foretold,

Most highly favored maiden." Gloria!

Then gentle Mary meekly bowed her head;

"To me be as it pleases God," she said.

"My soul shall praise and magnify his holy name."

Most highly favored maiden, Gloria!

Of her Immanuel, the Christ, was born

In Bethlehem, all on a Christmas morn,

And Christian folk throughout the world will ever say, 

"Most highly favored maiden." Gloria!

AMDG