Week 2 Reading
Mary’s Song | Luke 1:26-56
That moment.
That moment when the Lord told me I, a young virgin, would give birth to a son lives in my memory not as an edict but as a choice. All I ever expected to do with my life was marry a good man and raise a family— the path of every God-fearing Jewish woman. What I did not anticipate was God’s marvelous imagination, His extraordinary dreams for ordinary people. So, in that moment I had to choose: protest in alarm and worry, or trust Him and His unthinkable plan. I took the Almighty risk.
The moment wasn’t big or public. No one saw what happened that day in my small Nazareth home, no one besides I and—what wonder!—the angel Gabriel. There I was, preparing the barley bread for the next day’s Shabbat meal, when an indescribable light appeared before me. It was as if the sun itself had dropped into my house. The light only became brighter as a shining man appeared within its radiance. How could I help but wonder whether I was inventing things? But then the man spoke.
“Mary, do not be afraid.”
Something about his voice made my hands stop shaking. Maybe the fact that he knew my name consoled me. Maybe I was being gifted with a divine courage. Or maybe it was a Voice in my ear urging, “Listen to him. He is a friend of Heaven.”
“You have found favour with God,” the angel continued. “And behold, you will conceive and give birth to a son. You are to name him Jesus. He will be the Son of God, and He will reign forever.”
“How?” I whispered.
“The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore, the child will be called holy.”
Breathe, Mary! I told myself. Think. The angel had not asked a question. He was sure of himself, sure of his message, sure of the Master who sent him. Apparently, this was in no way a proposal or suggestion. From Heaven’s point of view, it was a certainty. But I don’t understand...I have so many questions! I, a young girl, unremarkable and unnoticed, am going to be the earthly mother of God’s Son? What if I do something wrong? What if I turn out to be no good as a mother? I’ve never even raised an ordinary child let alone a hallowed one. Surely He will need to be reared differently than normal children, but what is the proper way? It is amazing how many thoughts can crowd into mere seconds. True, Gabriel did not ask for my agreement, yet such an incredible pronouncement called for a response. God’s plan was set, decided before the gates of Eden were shut, but would I choose to be His servant in it? Will I?
Silly girl! I laughed suddenly. Listen closely! He does not ask the question, because He already knows my answer! Say it, Mary, say the words!
“It will be just as you say,” I replied. Was I good enough? Was I ready? No, I wasn’t either. But He was both, and I would trust Him.
The light vanished as swiftly as it had come. I walked to the doorway and stepped outside. Nothing had changed on the quiet street. Everything was as usual. But I knew differently. “God,” I breathed, turning my face to the sky, “how? How do I accomplish Your will?”
As days passed, the answer came as a joyful pounding in my heart, a steady beat in my soul. If He had taken notice of His lowly servant, He would not forget me. If He had promised mercy to His people, He would not leave me alone with the task of its holy delivery. His nearness was a crescendo—a baby’s frame growing, a woman’s faith swelling, a world’s salvation unfolding. Oh, how I praise the Lord!