What kind of emotional and spiritual relationship do you have with Mary? Warm and friendly? Cold and distant? Abstract, or personal? Can you relate to Mary’s vulnerability and admire her courage as revealed in the Annunciation story?

Religion in general has the reputation of being airy-fairy and abstract, at least to those outside its household of believers. But the Christian story is nothing if not concrete, earthy, and tangible.

God sent the angel Gabriel to the Galilean village of Nazareth to a virgin engaged to be married to a man descended from David. His name was Joseph, and the virgin’s name, Mary. Upon entering, Gabriel greeted her: “Good morning! You’re beautiful with God’s beauty, Beautiful inside and out! God be with you.”

In my entire eight years of life I had never received an invitation to a party in the mail. Murray from across the alley was celebrating his birthday. Mom made me check the return card saying I would be there, explaining to me what RSVP meant.

Our God is kind and faithful to us. We pray to show faithfulness to God and kindness to our neighbor.

The limits of our mortality make eternity seem very far away. Religion is all about transcendence of mortal limits through the power of God.

Today we name the Messiah “O Radiant Dawn, Sun of Justice, Splendor of Eternal Light!” Anyone whose morning commute regularly includes a sunrise or who has contrived to rise early for the express purpose of watching the sun come up knows why primitive peoples and even our oh-so-sophisticated selves find godliness in a sunrise.

Consider what a dignity is ours, and what a likeness there is between us and Mary. Mary conceived Christ in her womb, and we bear him about in our hearts. —Saint Peter Damian