The wondrous story of Christmas is a timeless proclamation of good news, great joy, hope, salvation, and grace. As I recently considered the birth of Christ, my attention was drawn to the interaction between the angel Gabriel and Mary as he revealed to her the approaching miracle. Sure, I have read the story many times, but God seemed to speak to my heart about something I had never considered before.
In Luke 1:26-37 we read the following, "Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the descendants of David; and the virgin's name was Mary. And coming in, he said to her, "Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you." But she was very perplexed at this statement, and kept pondering what kind of salutation this was. The angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary; for you have found favor with God. "And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name Him Jesus. "He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David; and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and His kingdom will have no end." Mary said to the angel, "How can this be, since I am a virgin?" The angel answered and said to her, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; and for that reason the holy Child shall be called the Son of God. "And behold, even your relative Elizabeth has also conceived a son in her old age; and she who was called barren is now in her sixth month. "For nothing will be impossible with God."
Following Gabriel's announcement, Mary asked a very practical and a most appropriate question of the angel. "How can this be, since I am a virgin?" As I considered Gabriel's response, I was reminded of several other questions that find their answer resting, at least in part, on the one he gave. How can God remain holy and righteous while imparting forgiveness and righteousness to sinners? How could He be "made like His brethren in all things"? How could God partake of flesh and blood? How can He bid me to come boldly to the throne of grace? How can He use these vessels that are you and I to accomplish His will? How can this mortality someday put on immortality? May we never forget Gabriel's inspired proclamation of truth to Mary. And may we ever lean on the hope that it speaks of. "Nothing is impossible with God." Repeat these words to yourself again and again and never forget them.
As I thought about Gabriel's response to Mary's question further, it occurred to me that Mary and I had something quite significant in common. As she wondered how she could "bear a son" while yet a virgin, Gabriel announced that the Holy Spirit would come upon her and that the power of the Most High would overshadow her. It seemed so clear to me. Had I not also experienced the Holy Spirit coming upon me? Could I not rejoice forevermore that the power of the Most High had overshadowed me? Had not my "empty womb" been given life? And did not the life that grew in Mary bear the same name as The Life that was given me? The wonderful name of Jesus! Praise the Lord for the life giving message of Christmas!!!
