32- THE ANNUNCIATION TO THE MOTHER OF GOD
		
		
		The joy of the Incarnation finds its first expression in 
		the Icon of the Annunciation. The Icon brings to us and 
		helps us enter into the "Good News of Grace." Everything 
		in the Icon leads to and is centered in the Mother of God.
		In the colors and the details is to be discovered the joy 
		of the Incarnation, of the "Good News of Grace." The very 
		posture of the Archangel Gabriel is depicted in graceful 
		motion as if dancing, holding in his left hand a staff, 
		the ancient symbol of the messenger. His right hand is 
		extended toward the Mother of God in both greeting and 
		communication. 
		
		
		The Mother of God herself is portrayed in a unique 
		position. It is said that at the time of the Annunciation,
		she was occupied with spinning. Thus, the ball of thread 
		in her hand dropped as if forgotten in her surprise at the
		appearance of the Angel and the weightiness of his message.
		It is this latter element which explains the prudent, 
		perplexed reaction of the Mother of God, conveyed here by 
		the hesitant gesture of her hand, and expressed over and 
		over by the hymns of the Feast. In poetic exuberance the 
		Church enters into this mystery. 
		
		
		"Why does your figure blaze with fire;" said she, whom we 
		venerate, to Gabriel in her amazement. "What is your rank 
		and what is the value of your words? You announce to me 
		that I shall bring forth a child, yet I have no experience
		of man. Lead me not astray with crafty words, O Man, as 
		the crafty serpent once led Eve, our mother."
		(Vesper Hymn) 
		 
		
		The Mother of God accepts the message of the Annunciation 
		and is thus shown with her head inclined in consent. She 
		humbly agrees, "I am the servant of the Lord, let it be 
		done to me as you say." (Lk. 1: 38) The Icon celebrates 
		the Virgin's agreement to be the mother of the Incarnate 
		Son of God. .One final detail of this Icon remains to be 
		mentioned: the rays of light descending on the Virgin 
		illustrate the message of the Angel, "The Holy Spirit 
		will come upon you and the power of the Most High will 
		overshadow you." (Lk. 1: 35) 
		
		
		Prescribed as a pictorial element for the Royal Doors of 
		the Icon Screen, the Icon is among the simplest to have 
		ever been developed. It stands out to us as the sign of 
		God's love and man's freedom. The clarity of its 
		expression, and the plenitude of its inner joy have 
		remained throughout the ages. The Icon remains permeated 
		with joy, and the words of the Troparion of the Feast 
		become our song of joy. 
		
		
		TROPARION -Today is the fountainhead of our salvation and 
		the revelation of an eternal mystery: the Son of God 
		becomes the Son of a Virgin, and Gabriel announces the 
		good news of this grace. Therefore, let us join with him 
		crying out to the Mother of God: "Hail, Full of Grace, 
		the Lord is with you."
		

		I reap a good harvest from the soil of my mind
		
		
		When we pass a garden and see everything in full bloom, we 
		don't always think about the seeds that were planted long 
		before we got there. We simply enjoy the beauty of the 
		harvest. Our minds work the very same way. It is the law 
		of expression that says we must ultimately express in form 
		those thoughts, emotions and impulses we store in the 
		subconscious mind. That part of us does not think. It does 
		not reason, balance, judge or reject. It is the fertile 
		ground that accepts and everything we plant. Good or evil, 
		constructive or destructive, our lives will bear the fruit 
		of the seeds we plant in our minds. If we have no faith, 
		purpose or belief in ourselves, we cannot blame the world. 
		We plant the roses or weeds we see in the garden. We can 
		imagine good big things as well as troubling little things, 
		our minds will accept either one. If we want to lay back and 
		sniff the lilies in our valley, we must tend our seeds of 
		thought with constant care.
		
		
		If you plant turnips you will not harvest grapes.