Annunciation March 25

According to Luke 1:26, the Annunciation occurred "in the sixth month" of Elizabeth's pregnancy with John the Baptist. Many Christians observe this event with the Feast of the Annunciation on March 25, an approximation of the northern vernal equinox nine full months before Christmas, Jesus' birthday.

In the Bible, the Annunciation is recounted in Luke 1:26-38:

26 And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, 27 To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David: and the virgin's name was Mary. 28 And the angel came in, and said unto her, Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women.

29 Who, when she heard it, was troubled at his words, and considered within herself what kind of salvation this should be. 30 And the angel said to her, Fear not, Mary, for you have found favor with God. 31 Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a son, and you will call his name Jesus. 32 He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, and he will reign in the house of Jacob for ever. 33 And of his kingdom there will be no end.

34 And Mary said unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?

35 And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that Holy One which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God. 36 And, behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she also hath conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her that is called barren: 37 Because no word is impossible with God.

38 And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.

The Archangel Gabriel's greeting to Mary forms the first part of the Hail Mary prayer; Mary's response to the Archangel forms the second verse and response of the Angelus prayer.

A separate, briefer and different announcement is that given to Joseph in Matthew 1:18

18 Now the generation of Christ was in this manner. When Mary, like his mother, was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost. 19 Whereupon Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to accuse her publicly, desired to put her away privately.

20 But while he was thinking on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to him in his sleep, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. 21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.

22 Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, 23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is God. with us.

The Annunciation is described in the Quran, in Surah 003:045 (Ali-Imran – The Family of Imran) verses 45–51 (Yusuf Ali translation):

45 See! the angels said: "O Mary! God gives you good news of a word from Him: His name will be Jesus Christ, the son of Mary, held in honor in this world and in the Hereafter and of (the company of) those who are closest to him. God;"