"Behold, you will conceive...and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name Jesus." (Luke 1:31)

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THE ANNUNCIATION

Rev. David R. Simons

Lessons: Luke1:26-56

For years and years, way back in the earliest times, women wished to become the mother of the Lord. From ancient times mothers hoped and prayed that they would be chosen for this great use to all humankind. They wanted—without really knowing how very important the day would be—to play a part in the Christmas story. From ancient times, stretching all the way back to Adam and Eve, it was known that a most important baby would be born into the world, who would grow up to fight and be victorious over people’s spiritual enemies. The Lord God had told Adam a Son would be born—the “seed” of the woman—and He would bruise the “head” of the serpent, that is, would bring the hells, which had led people away from heaven, into order, and in this way save people from the power of evil.

People knew that this great event would happen one day. Yet, they did not know how it would take place, when it would take place, nor where. For this reason, when the angel Gabriel told Mary that she had been chosen, she was surprised and filled with wonder. Imagine what it must have been like to suddenly see an angel and be told such great news. Have you ever been told that something you secretly had longed and hoped for was really about to happen? If you have, you can appreciate how Mary must have felt, even though what was to happen to her was the most important event to ever happen on any earth.

At first Mary was so surprised and filled with awe at the sight of the angel that she was not sure of the meaning of his words. Then, gradually, as he went on, she understood and accepted with humility.

“Rejoice, highly favored one…blessed are you among women” (Luke 1:28). From this greeting, Mary would know that something very special was going to happen to her, since to be “favored” means to be chosen—chosen of all the women, not only from her time, but throughout the ages. To be “blessed” means to receive something holy from heaven. Mary was to serve a special use as the mother of the baby Lord. We all receive blessing and delight when we perform uses.

As the angel went on, Mary began to know the full meaning of his visit, and when he said that she would “conceive…and bring forth a Son…” whose name was to be Jesus or Savior, she must have remembered the many ancient prophecies of the Messiah to come. Then Mary must have realized that something very, very precious would begin in her womb and grow to be born as the “Holy” Child.

Most babies are given their names after they are born. Sometimes, we like to give them their names when they are baptized. But our real names, the names we will have in heaven, are only given to us when our character is formed. For in heaven our name means our character or spiritual use. But Mary could be told what to name her Baby ahead of time because His Soul was His use. For He was of the Holy Spirit—the Spirit of God coming down to teach truth and do good for all people. The name of this Child meant what He was to be and what He was going to do. It foretold the use He would perform for the whole human race. For He was to become “Jesus”, The Savior.

To understand the surprise and wonder Mary felt, we must remember that no one since creation had ever been born in so wonderful a manner. Mary knew this, so she asked, “How can this be?” How is this possible, when I am not yet married? And the angel told her how this Baby’s soul would come directly from the “Holy Spirit”, from the “power of the Highest”, and that therefore this child would be “the Son of God…For with God nothing is impossible” (Luke 1:35,37). Now that the full meaning of what was to happen had been revealed, Mary could only say, “yes”. Her full-hearted willingness to cooperate, to humbly give her life to serve this great use, is expressed by her words: “Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word” (Luke 1:38).

Mary could not long hold her newfound joy to herself. She went to visit her cousin Elizabeth, who was also going to have a child—John the Baptist. But before Mary could tell her the great news, Elizabeth greeted her saying, “Blessed are you among women and blessed is the fruit of your womb. But why is this granted to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?” (Luke 1:43).

It was then that Mary burst forth in song—the first Christmas song, which we call the “Magnificat”—singing

My soul magnifies the Lord
And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior [Jesus].
For He has regarded the lowly state of His maidservant;
For behold, henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.
For He who is mighty has done to me great things;
And holy is His name (Luke 1:46-49).

Amen.

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