Virtual Nativity - The Annunciation to Mary

Archangel Gabriel and Mary

An ivory panel of Archangel Gabriel and Mary from the ‘Latin Gospel Lectionary’ held in the University of Oxford’s Bodleian Library.

Bookbinding of an English Psalter

The embroidery is in couched gold thread and split stitch, likely worked by Anne de Felbrigge, a nun in the convent of Minoresses at Bruisyard, Suffolk.

The University of Oxford in its Bodleian Library houses an ivory panel set in the binding of the ‘Latin Gospel Lectionary’ (MS. Douce 176, known as ‘The Douce’) which dates back to the 9th century court of Charlemagne. One of the panels depicts the Annunciation by the Archangel Gabriel as he brings word to Mary that she is to be the mother of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

The manuscript English Psalter, written in the thirteenth century, has an embroidered bookbinding considered to be the earliest example of an embroidered book in existence. Housed in the British Library in London, it shows a very charming design of the Annunciation, measuring 19.7cm by 14.6cm (7¾ by 5¾ inches).

Angels often serve as messengers of God in the Bible. St Luke describes probably the most famous encounter with an angel.

“In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary.
And he came to her and said, ‘Greetings, favoured one! The Lord is with you.’ But she was much perplexed by his words and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. The angel said to her, ‘Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favour with God. And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus. 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 ancestor David. He will reign over the house of Jacob for ever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.’
Mary said to the angel, ‘How can this be, since I am a virgin?’ The angel said to her, ‘The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be holy; he will be called Son of God. And now, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son; and this is the sixth month for her who was said to be barren. For nothing will be impossible with God.’ Then Mary said, ‘Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.’ Then the angel departed from her.”
Luke 1.26-38

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