December
12

“The Virgin’s Name Was Mary”

And° in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the name of the virgin was Mary. And the angel coming in to her said, Hail, thou who art graced! The Lord is with thee; blessed art thou among women. But° when she saw him she was disturbed by his word, and reasoned within herself what manner of greeting this was. And the angel said to her, Fear not, Mary; for thou hast found grace with God. And behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and shalt bring forth a Son, and shalt call His name Jesus. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest, and the Lord God shall give to Him the throne of His father David. And He shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever, and of His kingdom there shall be no end. (Luke 1:26–33)

The virgin of whom [the Lord] was born symbolizes the church as to a genuine affection for truth. (God the Savior 37 post.)

The genuine affection of truth is willing and longs to know the veriest truths of faith for the sake of good use as the end, and for the sake of life. … hose with a genuine desire for truth … search the Scriptures and supplicate the Lord for enlightenment, and when they are enlightened they rejoice from the heart. (Arcana Cœlestia 8993:3–4)

Affection or love constitutes the life of everyone; consequently those who are in the affection of truth constantly serve the Lord, even when they are in their vocations, business, and employments, for the affection that is within reigns continually and serves. Moreover, this is the service the Lord desires. (Apocalypse Explained 478:3)

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