A happy feast of the Annunciation.

This is a special day for us, the whole Good Counsel family. Truly a day to celebrate.

The Catholic Church defines the Annunciation (March 25) as celebrating the mystery of the  Incarnation of Christ in Mary’s womb and Her "Yes" to God's plan.

In ancient times, today's feast was called the "Conception of Christ."

While we really don't know what day this happened, we know it happened as it is recorded in the Gospel of Luke chapter 1 versus 26 through 38.  

With this knowledge the Church put this feast exactly 9 months before Christmas when we celebrate Jesus' birth.

The Son of God, the Word of God became flesh. His Mother Mary said to the surprise visit of the Archangel Gabriel, "Let this be done unto me according to your word."

Jesus was then conceived in her womb.

By His Incarnation Jesus united Himself to every human being.

We may think about that in a special way with every baby born at Good Counsel. The Son of God became just like this child so that this child may become like God.

What joys we have had with 11 babies born so far this year to moms living in our homes. That gives us a total of 1,194 since opening in 1985.

The Church has us pray on this day:  Also, in this we have come to know God’s love for us: He has sent His only Son, that we might live through Him.

Saint Leo the Great, pope, wrote a beautiful letter in part saying:

"He who is true God was therefore born in the complete and perfect nature of a true man . . .

He chose to be one of us mortal men. Yet this was the condescension of compassion, not the loss of omnipotence."

And doesn't Jesus' condescension of compassion allow us at Good Counsel especially to receive and share His kindness in such special ways in our mission with mothers and babies every day.

St. Leo continued,

"As God does not change by his condescension, so man is not swallowed up by being exalted."

And the Church prays:

Receive, O Virgin Mary, the Word which the Lord has made known to you by the message of the angel:

You will conceive and give birth to a son, both God and man, and you will be called blessed among women."

Enjoy and celebrate this day is a special way because you show the world that The Word became flesh and lives among us.

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In Christ,

Chris

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