The Annunciation

Secular presentation

The first joyful mystery

If you come to the Cathedral, this scene is the easiest if you want to get up really close!  It's also one of the most stylish, look at the flowing lines and strong patterns: not just art but also design!  In the right light, probably early on a sunny afternoon, the stars sparkle, the red halo glows with penetrating light.  The yellow behind the dove becomes like brilliant gold, and the blue in the sky and in the woman's dress become deep and mysterious - and so they need to be, because the picture is meant to draw you in, and help you lose yourself in thoughts of heavenly things!

The woman is Mary: a young woman some 2000 years back, in Roman occupied Palestine.  OK, I know she looks North European, but artists are allowed some licence!  Mary's had her marriage arranged, and the process is past the point of commitment.  But things are a little unusual, even in her time - because rumour has it she'd really rather dedicate her life to prayer with God.  However, the economics of the day are such that she has to marry.  Still, she's reached some kind of an understanding with her fiancé Joseph, so things should be OK!?

Suddenly, 'out of the blue', an Angel - a supernatural Spirit - appears to her!  The one shown here in human-like form dressed in white, with the stars of heaven emblazoned on its gown.  When compared to Humans, Angels are immensely powerful.  The good ones (from Heaven), if they reveal themselves honestly as Angels of light, typically scare people out of their wits.  The bad ones (demons) often prefer a more subtle approach - with the result they get scary later!  This one gives Mary an honest shock right away - so its probably a good one!

As I said, Mary gets such a shock that the Angel has to reassure her.  But then it tells her she's going to have a baby.  The Angel has a knack of dropping bombshells!  It goes on to explain that the baby will be fathered not by Joseph, but wait for it - by the Spirit of God - who will conceive the baby with her in a supernatural way!!  Of course Mary realises that everyone will think she slept around, and remember this is 2000 years back.  If she's not stoned to death, the best she can expect is to live alone in poverty!

Still think this one's a good Angel?  Well Mary's no ordinary woman.  Her reaction is unusual to say the least.  Remember that arrangement?  Mary holds God in high regard, and apparently trusts that this messenger is from God.  She responds with trust, saying: 'OK, let it happen as you say'!  And so it does: the Artist uses a Dove to symbolise the Spirit of God tracing a beam from heaven down to Mary, so together they can conceive the Holy Child.

Now just in case you think this an odd tale, let me point out it is pretty well documented historically.  I'm not saying history proves it happened this way - but it is well documented, and the events that follow form one of the cornerstones of European culture, with diverse influences reaching into even unlikely places like modern humanism.  All because the woman said: "OK"!  Whether you believe it is up to you, but please don't knock it - it may well be part of your own heritage.