Annunciation

OBJECTIVE

The Feast of the Annunciation is one of the seven major feasts in the Coptic church. It commemorates the announcement of the Archangel Gabriel to the Holy Virgin Mary that she would give birth to Jesus Christ. According to the Coptic Synaxarium, this feast falls on the 29th of Baramhat, nine months before the feast of the Nativity, which is on the 29th of Kiahk. We celebrate this feast during the Holy Great Fast, and though it is a Major Feast, it is celebrated without breaking the Fast. If it falls during Holy Week, then it is not celebrated. However, we commemorate the feast on the 29th of every Coptic Month except in Tubah and Amshir.

INTRODUCTION & HOOK - 10 Minutes

Talk with the students about where a baby grows before they are born. Ask them if they can remember their mom or aunt having their younger sibling or cousin growing in their belly.

Ask the students some more leading questions: Do they remember their parents or aunt announcing their pregnancy? Were the kids happy and excited when they found out they were going to have a baby brother/sister or a baby cousin?

Now as the students about angels. What do angels look like? What do they do?

In today's lesson, the students will hear the story about how an angel appeared to St. Mary and gave her the news that she was going to have a Son.

HOLY SCRIPTURE - 5 Minutes

The story of Angel Gabriel's announcement to the Virgin Mary can be found in Luke 1:26-38.

Memory Verse - "Blessed are you among women" (Luke 1:28)

CONTENT (KEY POINTS) - 15 Minutes

One day, the Virgin Mary saw a bright light shining around her. Suddenly, a beautiful angel named Archangel Gabriel appeared to her and St. Joseph. The angel said to her, "Hail to you, highly favored one, the Lord is with you."

St. Mary was very surprised and wondered why the angel had appeared to her. Archangel Gabriel comforted her and told her that he was bringing her very good news Then he told her that she is going to carry the baby Jesus in her belly for nine months. He told her that the Holy Spirit is going to fill her and because of her simplicity and meekness (quiet and gentle), she will become the Mother of God.

Archangel Gabriel gave her proof that his message was true. He told St. Mary that her cousin, Elizabeth, is pregnant with a son even though she is very, very old. The angel also informed her that Elizabeth had already been carrying the baby (John) in her belly for six months. "For with God nothing will be impossible." (Luke 1:36-37)

St. Mary accepted and believed what the angel had told her and she said, "I am the maidservant of the Lord", which means that she is the Lord's servant. The Virgin Mary rejoiced and was very happy to do whatever God had asked of her. After Archangel Gabriel left St. Mary, she immediately went to visit her cousin Elizabeth to help her during her pregnancy.

DISCUSSION (Challenge) - 10 Minutes

Open the icon of the Annunciation in the attachments. Share this icon with the students and ask them to share what they see. Engage the students in a discussion on what is depicted in the icon, and ask them questions about the lesson.

  • What is the name of the Archangel that brought the good news to the Virgin Mary? Archangel Gabriel
  • What is the good news that the angel brought? That the Virgin Mary would give birth to the Son of God
  • Who was with St. Mary when the angel appeared to her? St. Joseph
  • What was the name of St. Mary's cousin? Elizabeth
  • How many months was Elizabeth carrying her baby? Six months
  • Was Elizabeth old or young? She was very old
  • What are some of the virtues we can learn from St. Mary? Obedience, faithfulness, meekness, purity, etc.
  • What are some ways that we can be obedient in our lives? Have the students share their answers
  • What should we do when we are scared or worried about a situation in our lives? Through the intercessions of St. Mary, we can make our requests known to God, and we should trust in His immense love for us

LIFE APPLICATION - 5 Minutes

In the story of the Annunciation, St. Mary reminds us to always be obedient and to always trust in God. Sometimes it's hard to leave everything in God's hands, but we know that because of His great love for us, God will never disappoint us or leave us and He will always guide us in the right direction. During this time, we can practice being obedient to our parents, servants, and elders, as well as practice being humble.

ACTIVITY - 15 Minutes

Option 1: Coloring page

Print out the "Annunciation Coloring Page" and have the students color the picture. Have the students write the memory verse on their paper (younger children may need help).

Option 2: Act out the lesson

Materials:

  • Angel wings
  • Three small tunics (for the angel, St. Mary, and St. Joseph)
  • A white/ blue shall or head cover (for St. Mary)
  • A flashlight
  • Toy construction tools (for St. Joseph)

Have the students take turns acting out the Annunciation while the servant reads the story. Choose a girl to dress as St. Mary, a boy to dress as St. Joseph (he will be holding tools like a carpenter), and a student to be the angel. Choose another student to shine the flashlight when the angel appears.

Option 3: Paper Plate Angel Craft

Materials:

  • Paper plates
  • Glue or tape
  • Scissors
  • Construction paper
  • Markers/crayons/colored pencils
  • Gold pipe cleaners
  • Glitter (optional)

Instructions:

  • Start by cutting a deep triangle out of the paper plate
  • Glue or tape that piece to the bottom of the paper plate - this will be the angel's body
  • Cut out a small circle (of construction paper) for the angel's face and glue it on
  • Bend the gold pipe cleaner in the shape of a halo and tape it to the back of the angel's head
  • Add some facial features and hair to the angel using markers, crayons, or colored pencils
  • Have the students decorate/color their angel however they want
  • Optional: make streaks of glue all around the angel's wings and body, and shake gold glitter over it (glitter glue can also be used)

SERVANT RESOURCES

PARENTS CORNER/HOMEWORK

Review the story of the Annunciation. Pray through the intercessions of St. Mary, the Mother of God, that we may be obedient and trusting in God's will for us.

LESSON ATTACHMENTS

Annunciation Coloring Page (Grade KG-2).pdf

Discussion Icon (Grade KG-2 - Annunciation).pdf