The Annunciation

Mary in response to the angel's message is often shown reading or in prayer, often while kneeling near a volume of scripture. Sometimes the volume is open to Isaiah's prophecy that a virgin will conceive and bear a child.

Annunciation images include a light that shines down from heaven in the direction of the Virgin.

A dove flies down on this light or will hover above her head representing the Holy Spirit and referring to the line in the Nicene Creed that states, "by the power of the Holy Spirit He became Man."

The angel Gabriel is seen in the left half of the image, a branch of lilies, symbolizing the purity of Mary.

The Annunciation has always been celebrated on March 25, exactly nine months before Christmas Day.