Six months after the angel Gabriel foretold the birth of the prophet John, Gabriel appeared again to announce another birth — the birth of the Messiah himself. This time Gabriel was sent to a teenage girl promised to be married to a carpenter named Joseph. She had been selected to be the mother of the Messiah while she was still a virgin. At first she was afraid, unsure. How could this happen?

Then Mary said, “My soul praises the Lord; my heart rejoices in God my Savior, because he has shown his concern for his humble servant girl. From now on, all people will say that I am blessed, because the Powerful One has done great things for me. His name is holy. God will show his mercy forever and ever to those who worship and serve him. He has done mighty deeds by his power. He has scattered the people who are proud and think great things about themselves. He has brought down rulers from their thrones and raised up the humble. He has filled the hungry with good things and sent the rich away with nothing. He has helped his servant, the people of Israel, remembering to show them mercy as he promised to our ancestors, to Abraham and to his children forever.” LUKE 1:46-55

    The hope of the world hung there as young Mary pondered the unbelievable message from Gabriel. The God of heaven was moving ever closer to his people. His heavenly presence had been experienced on mountains, then in the tabernacle, and now his presence would be living in human form, inside the womb of a teenager. She had been handpicked by God to bring Immanuel into the world. After Gabriel calmed her fears, she was humbled by God’s extraordinary blessing. How could she say no to Almighty God?

    Mary’s response was perfect: “I am the Lord’s servant. Let this happen to me as you say!” No mother, before or after Mary, has had an experience that can compare to Mary’s next nine months — feeling the Savior of the world, the Son of God, kicking in her womb.

Reflection: To the hosts of heaven and the legions of angels this must have seemed like a risky venture at best — to place the hope of the world in the response and hands of an unproven teenager. Yet God in his wisdom looks for those who, like Mary, willingly place their future in his hands and say, “I am the servant of the Lord. Let this happen to me as you say.

 

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Title: "Immanuel Announced"
Author: Ron Rose
Publication Date: July 26, 2003