Read: Luke 1:1-38 In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.” Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.” How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?” The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. Even Elizabeth, your relative, is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be unable to conceive is in her sixth month. For no word from God will ever fail.” “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Then the angel left her.
Mary was visited by an angel and learned that not only was she pregnant, but she was carrying the Son of God. At this time in her life, she was young and betrothed (engaged) to marry a man named Joseph.
Engagement in those days was unlike what it is today. Mary would continue to live with her family for a year while the soon-to-be husband would prepare a home for them. It would have been a scandal for a young woman, betrothed to be married, to be pregnant. Not only would there be the pain of gossip, but the law required a woman in her condition be stoned.
Mary was in a tough spot. However, despite her fear and confusion, she told the angel, “I am the Lord’s servant, may your word to me be fulfilled” Mary knew this was a big moment that would bring her danger, perhaps hate, and most likely death. But she also knew something great would come from this decision. Her faith in God was so great that she didn’t even ask for some time to decide, she just said yes without fear, even if it meant death.
Saying yes to God can be difficult – and it was for Mary. However, her decision gave to generations our Savior and His hope, peace, joy, love, forgiveness and salvation, which we then can share with others.
There is no other single gift that has been given to so many and will continue to be given. All because of one yes. This week we will talk about how Mary’s decision allowed us to truly know the gift she would bring into the world.
