Rejoice, O Full of Grace – A Sermon for the Feast of the Annunciation

In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, One God. Amen.
May the blessing of the Father who calls us, and His Only Begotten Son Jesus Christ who saves us, and the Holy Spirit who sanctifies and transforms us be with us all, that we may hear His word and bear fruit—thirty, sixty, and a hundredfold. Amen.

Gospel Reading

“Rejoice, full of grace, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women! — Luke 1:28 

 I. The Silence of Heaven Was Broken

Today, we celebrate the Feast of the Annunciation, the first of the Lord’s Feasts in the liturgical year. On this day, heaven broke its silence. After centuries without prophecy or divine revelation, the Archangel Gabriel appears to a humble virgin in Nazareth—not in a palace, but in simplicity. Not to a ruler, but to Mary, whose heart was pure enough for heaven to descend.

As Pope Shenouda III reminds us:

“The Annunciation was not merely a message of birth, but the beginning of reconciliation between God and man.”

II. A Virgin’s Yes – The Womb of Obedience

Mary was troubled at the angel’s greeting, yet her response echoed through all eternity:

“Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word.” — Luke 1:38 (NKJV)

St. Jerome beautifully wrote:

“Now you, too, may be the Lord’s mother.” Not in the flesh, but in spirit—by receiving the Word in humility and allowing Him to grow in your heart.

Mary’s “yes” opened the door to salvation. Her womb became the tabernacle. Her obedience reversed Eve’s disobedience.

III. The Beginning of Our Salvation

The angel’s message was the beginning of a holy chain:

Annunciation → Incarnation → Crucifixion → Resurrection → Salvation

  • Without the Annunciation, there would be no Nativity.
  • Without the Nativity, no Cross.
  • And without the Cross, no Redemption.

The angel declared:

“The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God.” — Luke 1:35 (NKJV)

This was not merely a political savior—He came to save from sin, from death, and from the dominion of the enemy.

IV. Good News for the Tired and the Broken

The Annunciation is not just historical—it’s personal.

The angel says to each of us: “Rejoice, the Lord is with you.”

To the sinner, to the weary, to the one under the yoke of guilt— Christ has come for you.

“Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” — Matthew 11:28 (NKJV)

“The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me… To heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives.”

— Isaiah 61:1 (NKJV)

Let us become messengers like Archangel Gabriel, bringing the same good news.

V. Living the Annunciation Every Day

Let this feast be more than commemoration—let it be transformation.

Be like Mary:

  • Say yes to God’s calling
  • Offer your heart as His dwelling
  • Trust that His plan is greater than your fears

“Now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed.” — Romans 13:11 (NKJV)

Let your soul magnify the Lord. Let your spirit rejoice in God your Savior. And may you be overshadowed by the Holy Spirit.

Conclusion
  • O Virgin Mary, full of grace, intercede for us.
  • O Christ, who was incarnate from the Theotokos, dwells in us.
May the Lord bless us, transform our hearts and minds, that our homes may stand on the Rock, our hands serve in the harvest, and our hearts long for Heaven. Amen.