Advent: Let it be.

Read Luke 1:26-38

What an amazing passage. Yesterday we saw the angel go to the elderly priest with a message about his miracle and special baby. Today the angel goes to a young virgin about her miracle and special baby. Most scholars I read believe that Mary was a young teenager, the age women get pledged to be married back then. And to the young woman the angel tells her she is going to have a baby. And again this baby will be a special baby – he will be the Son of the Most high God. He will sit on David’s throne – very common language for a Jewish woman to know that he will be the long awaited for Messiah. His kingdom will last forever. (We know this language from our readings in Isaiah.)

The teenage Mary’s response is what is so amazing. First she asks “How will this be?” This is not the question of doubt that Zechariah the priest poses. Zechariah asks “How will I know this is true” Mary asks “How will this happen since I am a virgin.” Zechariah’s asks for proof, Mary asks for an explanation of the process. For a young teenager this certainly seems like a good question. She is saying “okay this is happening but I don’t understand how.”

But her last response is even better. “I am the Lord’s servant, May it be to me according to your word.” Mary knows her status before God. God is Lord. Mary is His servant. She will submit to Him. Of course what she is agreeing to is a wonderful privilege. She is highly favored. She will be the mother of the one Isaiah prophesied about. She will be the mother of the Messiah. She will be called blessed for all generations.

God’s zealous (Isaiah 9.7) plan to redeem mankind is being set into motion. The forerunner of Jesus has been announced. Now the mother of the Messiah knows the plan. He is coming. He is coming soon.