Christmas: The Divine Interruption Sample

Mary

When we first meet Mary, she is likely a teenage girl, betrothed to Joseph, both innocent and upright in her lifestyle and faith. So when the angel Gabriel announced that she would become pregnant with the Messiah, her innocent question reflected a fundamental understanding of biological facts. “She asked Gabriel, “How can this be, since I am a virgin?” (Luke 1:34).

Gabriel explained in simple terms about the Holy Spirit overshadowing her and what was in front of her over the next few months. Additionally, Gabriel let her know that her cousin, Elizabeth, was supernaturally pregnant, even though Elizabeth had never been able to get pregnant before.

Mary’s reply to Gabriel’s announcement continually challenges and encourages my faith, no matter what’s happening around me and regardless of how I feel at any given moment. Having received the news of her supernatural pregnancy (even though she would be in a dangerous place before the religious law and the cultural norms of her day), Mary says, “Behold, the bondslave of the Lord; may it be done to me according to your word” (Luke 1:38). Regardless of what seems improbable or even impossible, may you and I come to the same conclusion with God’s promises that Mary verbalized.

Reflection: What areas in your life could use some simple faith to trust that God is looking out for you? In what ways could we “carry” Jesus to the people around us?