(This image of Fra Angelico's Annunciation was found on Wikimedia)

Today we commemorate the Translation of the House of Loreto - the small humble dwelling where the Incarnation of Our Lord Jesus Christ took place in the womb of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

St. Bonaventure wrote:

"Now, when the fullness of that time had come, wherein the Most High Trinity, in exceeding love, had decreed to save mankind by the Incarnation of the Word; the Divine mercy, and the instant prayers of the blessed spirits, pressed for the accomplishment of this redemption. The Blessed Virgin Mary having returned to Nazareth, the Almighty called unto Him the Archangel Gabriel, and thus spake unto him: 'Go thou unto our well-beloved daughter Mary, that is espoused unto Joseph, and that is dear unto us above all our creatures; and say unto her, that the Son of God hath been taken with her beauty, and chosen her that she be His Mother. Pray for her that she accept Him joyously, for that through her have I decreed to save all mankind, and no longer remember the injuries done unto Me.'"

Let us pray for each other that we "accept Him joyously" when He comes to us spiritually this Christmas.