December 10th

Luke 1:26-38

Six months later and the next stage of the plan unfolds. Gabriel is on another mission, this time to Mary. We are told she is engaged to a man who is a descendant of King David, which Luke knows is important. In Mary’s day betrothal was a serious commitment, vows have been made which could not easily be broken except by divorce or death. After a betrothal the couple would stay with their parents for a year before being married and living together. Mary would have been a very young teenager at this time. It seems strange in our culture but was the norm then. Mary has been chosen, she is highly favoured. We are not told why, but it is an act of grace i.e. it has not been earned. Given the cultural view of unmarried mothers and harsh treatment of those guilty of adultery, which is how this would be seen, it is unlikely that it will feel like an honour to her, or Joseph, or their families.

Mary’s ‘yes’ to God’s choice is going to lead to shame and disgrace, an awful lot of misunderstandings and ultimately pain for her as a mother. Yet, she quietly accepts God’ scall on her life and bows to his will.

Reflection

What can we learn from Mary’s response about our own response to God as his disciples ? Are there areas of life where you need to yield as she did?