The Annunciation has always been a story of suspense. In the pacing of most narrative tellings like the ones we have examined so far, the author may briefly describe what Mary is doing before Gabriel's arrival, before moving on to the real action – their conversation and the Incarnation itself. Bernard of Clairvaux introduced the tradition of dramatic suspense in the moment between Gabriel's final words, ‘quia non erit impossibile apud Deum omne verbum’ (because no word shall be impossible with God), and Mary’s acquiescent acceptance, ‘Ecce ancilla Domini: fiat mihi secundum verbum tuum’ (Behold, the handmaid of the Lord; be it done to me according to thy word) (Luke 2:37–8), the whole event's climax. His Sermon IV Super missus est addresses the Virgin directly:

Bernard elaborates at length on – and thus himself effectively extends – this expectant pause. It can only be resolved by the free will of Mary to accept that ‘tu es cui hoc promissum est’ (you are the one who was promised) in the prophecies, and he implores her to ‘responde verbum, et suscipe Verbum: profer tuum, et concipe divinum’ (say the word and receive the Word: give yours and conceive God’s). Her ‘Ecce’ relieves the wait and ensures Christendom’s salvation.