Nativity and Annunciation to the Shepherds from BL Add 42062, f. 1B

Historiated initial 'L' of the Nativity and the Annunciation to the Shepherds (bottom miniature). Image taken from Cutting from a Gradual. Written in Latin.

The Annunciation is a biblical event in which the angel Gabriel appeared to the Virgin Mary to announce that she had been chosen to give birth to Jesus, the Son of God. The event is recorded in the New Testament in the Gospels of Luke and is a central moment in the story of the Nativity of Jesus. The scene typically depicts Mary and Gabriel, who is usually shown holding a lily, a symbol of purity, and announcing the news of the birth of Jesus to Mary.