The Annunciation by Henry Ossawa Tanner (1859-1937)
In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. And he came to her and said, ‘Greetings, favoured one! The Lord is with you.’ But she was much perplexed by his words and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. The angel said to her, ‘Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favour with God. And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his ancestor David. He will reign over the house of Jacob for ever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.’ Mary said to the angel, ‘How can this be, since I am a virgin?’ The angel said to her, ‘The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be holy; he will be called Son of God. And now, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son; and this is the sixth month for her who was said to be barren. For nothing will be impossible with God.’ Then Mary said, ‘Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.’ Then the angel departed from her. Luke 1:26-37
On this Advent Sunday, it is good to look both backward and forward – remembering the past year, with its blessings and sadnesses, and in anticipation of those same ups and downs in the year to come. We live in the knowledge that whatever may befall, Jesus will be present to share our joys and comfort our hurt. He is present – ever-present – in many roles, each offering support and hope in all the changing scenes of life.
When she was a girl, I wonder what Mary hoped for? Peaceful home? Kind, loyal husband? Loving, healthy family?
What did the angel promise? A child. Son of the most High. Eternal Kingdom. Throne of his ancestor David. Son of God.
It’s a long way from her expectation – especially since she hasn’t a husband yet. But Mary does a remarkable thing. Instead of questioning the reality or likelihood of the angel’s predictions, she asks a simple question. How can this be? – and is told that the Holy Spirit of God will make this happen.
And she just says yes, ok then.
No ‘what ifs’. No ‘buts’. No discussion, no compromise. She knows that the one true God, her God, holds the future and she is content to walk with Him into the unknown and unexpected. The ultimate example of Faith.
She will indeed have a child, a loving husband, a family. Not quite as she expected, though. Her child will be the one who will be with her always , until the end of the age. As He is always present with Mary, so He is present with me, and with you, too.
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