The Annunciation of the Birth Of Jesus in Lk 1:26-38

Abstract

The practice of reading and studying of the Bible in the Church is gradually taking root, especially during this post-Vatican II era. This is a positive step in the process of evangelization and missionary activity worldwide. In Africa, the reading of the Bible has been enthusiastically promoted in the Protestant Churches notwithstanding the obstacle of illiteracy in the last decades. It is quite recommendable that the Catholic Church is now taking seriously this aspect of evangelization. Apart from the institutions of learning, the Basic Christian Communities have proved to be efficient in this process from the grassroots. The above awareness and experience in the pastoral field of the many questions raised about the message and content of the Bible is what has prompted me to opt for this kind of research. It is the challenge of African scholars to respond to this urgent need using the opportunities available. In this research I have employed scholarly tools and methodology appropriate to the critical study of the Bible. Therefore in the first chapter we shall start with the exegesis and then theological analysis of the text of Lk1:26-38, which is the subject matter of this study. Then will follow the third stage of venturing into the task of applying the fruit of our exegesis in our contemporary African context. This passage is unique and quite relevant since it announces the coming of Our Lord and proclaims fundamental mysteries of our faith