As we slip into Christmas, one of the most vivid dramas in Scripture is Gabriel’s appearance to Mary. Was she in her house? Was she alone at the well or walking in the garden? We don’t know. (I like to think of her being outside.) What we do know is that the angel Gabriel appears to her and declares that she will bear a child but not with Joseph or any other man. In other words, a miracle, an impossibility!

Twice we are told that she is a virgin, so we can see how she is “greatly disturbed.”

As with most angel visitations, Mary is told, “Do not be afraid.” When she catches her breath, he tells her more details. “You have found favor with God. You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you will give him the name Jesus.”

Wow! That’s throwing a lot all at once on a young Jewish girl. The angel goes on to toss even more unbelievable descriptions of this son—he will be great, called Son of the Most High, given the throne of David, and his kingdom will never end.

But Mary does not quite hear all these things. Her mind is still on the first statement—bear a child. So she asks, “How will this be since I am a virgin?” The angel explains that the Holy Spirit will come upon her and this holy child will be called the Son of God.

I imagine that her mind is still boggled with all this holy talk. So Gabriel brings it down to earthly things that will make this impossibility more understandable. He tells her the news that her Aunt Elizabeth is going to have a child, even in her old age. And right now, Elizabeth is in her sixth month!

This brings Gabriel to his most powerful thought, “Nothing is impossible with God.” Now Mary is ready to receive the message. She says, “May it be to me as you have said.”

When unbelievable things happen in our lives, good or bad, we can rest of that promise, “Nothing is impossible with God.”

As you prepare for this Christmas season, read this amazing event in Mary’s life. Luke 1:26-38

After you read that, you’ll probably want to go on and read about Mary’s visit to her Aunt Elizabeth in the hill country. I love the thrilling reaction when Elizabeth heard Mary come in the door. (Luke 1:39-45)

And if you’re still on a roll, go back to the first part of Luke and be reminded of Elizabeth and husband Zechariah’s story. (Luke 1:1-25) Miracle overloads!

~ Joyce ~