How Can This Be?

It's the Feast of the Annunication, so here's an artist's interpretation of the visit of the angel Gabriel to a young girl called Mary. I like this painting by Henry Tanner.


Mary seems to be listening attentively but not yet saying 'yes' - perhaps she's at the stage of asking the question 'how can this be...?' 


I love the way the angel is indicated by light which is also reflected in Mary's face and the covers of her unmade bed.


Will she say yes?


Collect for Today:

"We beseech you, O Lord, 

pour your grace into our hearts, 

that as we have known the incarnation of your Son Jesus Christ 

by the message of an angel, 

so by his cross and passion we may be brought to the glory of his resurrection; 

through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, 

who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, 

one God, now and for ever. Amen."