Just think for a minute what that night or day might have been like for Mary. Having a visit with an angel would be a lot of excitement for anyone. That is for sure. If just the citing of this angel were not enough, the greeting would blow you right over. “ Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you”. (Luke 1:28)

   Wow, what does a life look like that receives that kind of attention from the Lord? Greatly favored. I doubt she was terribly rich. She was not engaged to a king, just a carpenter. No offense to carpenters… they just are not kings!  Everything I have ever heard about Mary and her life up to this point is pretty humble.

   Her response to this word is what I think sets Mary apart. On the news “” But the angel said to her, “ Do not be afraid, Mary, You have found favor with God. You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. He will be great and be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end.” (Luke 1-30-33).

 

 She does point out some pretty clear challenges from a human point of view – virgin- no husband, stuff like that. When the angel goes on to say that the “The Hoy Spirit will come upon you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God.”

 Personally, I would have fainted at that point.

 

 Not Mary, she just receives this news“ I am the Lord’s servant, “ Mary answered. ‘May it be to me as you have said” Then the angel left her. Luke 1:38

 The main thing that hits me in this account today is simply the way she received the message. She did not point out to the angel her inadequacies; she simply received the plans God had for her. As unbelievably far stretching  this all sounded.

Mary challenges me to receive what  God has given me to do. Am I the best choice? Am I worthy?  Can I really do it? All those questions come racing to my mind. Then I see Mary, the Mother of my Lord. She trusted God, against all odds.

 

 May I be found doing the same. How about you? What is being asked of you these days? Mary was a pretty humble lady yet she found favor in God’s eyes.

 

          God’s eye is on the sparrow( Mat 10:29). That is a common bird, even in my backyard.