Mary, the mother of Jesus Christ, unexpectedly came face-to-face with the angel Gabriel. Mary was a young woman, quite possibly a teen-ager. To say that she was startled and taken aback would be a huge understatement. But Gabriel comforts her and then with a few spoken words turned her life upside down. She was going to become a mother. She was told her child would grow up to take the throne of King David and that his kingdom would have no end.
This was not an ordinary conversation. Gabriel was no ordinary visitor. Her baby would not be an ordinary son. Mary, an ordinary young woman, a sinner saved by grace, was troubled and confused and afraid as any woman would have been. She had been given the most astounding message that any woman had ever heard. She would be the mother of the Savior of the world.
She then asks an ordinary question; “How can this be, since I am a virgin?”
Gabriel answers her that she will become pregnant by the Holy Spirit. Her son would not have a human father, he would be the Son of God, the Messiah. At this moment Mary did something that was extraordinary. She believed the word of God!
Instead of worrying about all that would change in her life, about how she was going to have to have an awkward conversation with Joseph, Mary responded with these not so ordinary words:
“I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Then the angel left her. Luke 1:38
If you and I take nothing else from this Christmas season, may it be that we follow the extraordinary example of a young girl who wanted what God wanted for her life.