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We are coming very close now to our celebration of Christmas. We note that Luke’s gospel today refers to two seemingly impossible events. The first is that Mary, a very young unmarried woman would give birth to a son. The second is that Mary’s aged cousin who was thought to be barren, would also give birth.
These things are announced by the visit of an angel who appears amongst Mary’s daily routine. Despite Mary’s faith and trust filled interaction with the angel who brings such staggering news, the most telling words he speaks are ‘Nothing is impossible for God’.
It is amid all these seeming impossibilities that the presence of God amongst us as a human being begins. Although we normally regard the birth of Jesus as the beginning of God’s presence, it is only the beginning of God’s visible presence among us.
Jesus’ human existence begins with Mary’s humble acceptance of God’s will when it was announced to her by the angel. It is generally believed that Mary’s ‘Yes’ to the angel marked the moment of conception by the power of the Holy Spirit. Mary is not shown as being at peace during the encounter with the angel. Scripture tells us that she was deeply disturbed and struggled to understand what was happening.
The angel Gabriel understood Mary’s struggle to understand and spoke her name to reassure her. Still Mary asked, how can I have a child? I have never known a man I am still a virgin.
Mary was perplexed not only by the angel declaring that she would give birth to a son but by his greeting ‘Rejoice so highly favoured! The Lord is with you. Mary do not be afraid you have won God’s favour’.
We don’t know how long the interaction with the angel takes, but it is clear the content of the message concerning herself giving birth and also her aged cousin Elizabeth was stunning. No doubt Mary would have to give deep thought to these things. Neither do we know how long it was before Mary sought out Joseph to tell him what had happened and that she had said yes to God.
More than saying yes, Mary had said ‘I am the handmaid of the Lord let what you have said be done to me’. We don’t hear a lot about Joseph’s response, but we can imagine his dismay when his betrothed announces that she is pregnant before they marry. Joseph thinks that the only solution is to call off the wedding and to release Mary from any obligations to avoid shame for either of them.
God’s choice of Mary and Joseph for his family shows his preference for the ordinary powerless people of the world. Jesus’ ministry was and is to lift up those who are lowly.
Mary’s ‘Yes’ changed the world for all future generations.
The catch cry of the multitude today is not ‘obedience’ rather it is total independence, seeking the ultimate high by whatever means. Too often the search for the ultimate high leads to total dependence rather than freedom. Obedience God is not subservience or weakness it calls for courage to seek out what is true and good.
May we have the courage to create the wonder of Christmas anew by always saying yes to God and bringing Jesus into the world.
