The Annunciation refers specifically to the angel Gabriel's announcement to Mary that she would conceive and bear the Son of God (Luke 1:26–38). It is the pivotal moment when the eternal plan of redemption broke into human time — the Word becoming flesh was announced before it occurred, requiring Mary's willing submission: "I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word." More broadly, annunciation signifies any divine declaration that precedes and inaugurates a redemptive act. The pattern runs throughout Scripture: God announces before He acts, calling for faithful response.
ANNUNCIATION, n. The act of announcing; the tidings brought by the angel to Mary, of the incarnation of Christ; also, the day celebrated by the church in memory of the angel's salutation of the Virgin Mary, observed on the 25th of March, called Annunciation day, or Lady day.
In Protestant circles, the Annunciation is often ignored as a "Catholic holiday," missing the profoundly biblical and Christological weight of Luke 1. The danger is reducing Mary to a passive vessel and missing her act of faith — her "yes" to God's word — which Luke presents as the model of discipleship. In broader culture, "annunciation" has been flattened into corporate announcement language, severed from its theological gravity. The Annunciation is not merely an announcement; it is the moment heaven invaded earth and a human being said yes to bearing the weight of the world's salvation.
Latin nuntius ("messenger, message") → PIE *neu- ("to shout")
→ Latin nuntiare ("to report, announce")
→ Latin annuntiare (ad + nuntiare, "to announce to")
→ Latin annuntiatio → English "annunciation"
Greek parallel:
ἄγγελος (angelos, G32) — messenger, angel
εὐαγγελίζω (euangelizō, G2097) — to announce good news
→ εὐαγγέλιον (euangelion) — good news, gospel
Hebrew:
בָּשַׂר (basar, H1319) — to bring news (often good news)
→ בְּשׂוֹרָה (besorah) — good news, tidings (cp. Isaiah 52:7)
• Luke 1:26–38 — The angel Gabriel sent to Mary; "You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus."
• Isaiah 7:14 — "Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son."
• Matthew 1:20–21 — The angel's announcement to Joseph concerning the child conceived by the Holy Spirit.
• Luke 1:38 — "I am the Lord's servant. May your word to me be fulfilled."
• John 1:14 — "The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us."