I love the story of the angel’s encounter with Mary. Can you imagine as young girl of about 16 coming face to face with a heavenly being and that you have conversation with him? She is such a young woman of composure that even in her fear, she is able to speak coherently. Being tongue tied would not have been out of the question for me at that age. Listen carefully to Gabriel as he shows compassion and understanding towards this young woman.

Luke 1:26-38 “ In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, ²⁷ to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. ²⁸ The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.” ²⁹ Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. ³⁰ But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. ³¹ You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. ³² He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, ³³ and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.”

³⁴ “How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?” ³⁵ The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. ³⁶ Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be unable to conceive is in her sixth month. ³⁷ For no word from God will ever fail.” ³⁸ “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Then the angel left her.

The attribute I have chosen for this scripture is Personal. God sends Gabriel to meet Mary and he calls her by name. She is known to the God and specially chosen for this holy mission. We know that God knows us but really that is hard to take in and understand. The God of the universe knows me? Jesus confirmed this fact in John 10:14-15 “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me— ¹⁵ just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep.” and John 10:27-28 “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. ²⁸ I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand.” Jesus says those who believe in Him are known to Him and to the Father. We will respond to His voice and follow Him. No one can take us away from Jesus! I know this makes me feel loved, affirmed and special in God’s eyes. I can imagine Gabriel calling Mary by name and speaking personally to her made her feel loved, cared for, recognized and humble.

She does ask Gabriel questions about how this is possible as she in not married and has not known a man. Her questions are not like Zechariah’s as she is not asking in a disbelieving manner but with sense of wonder at the possibility. Being a good Jewish girl, she would have know about the prophecies of a Messiah to come. She would have understood who Gabriel was talking about and knew she was a descendant in David’s lineage. I’m sure she was amazed to hear that her cousin Elizabeth was having a child when she was known to be barren. Taking all of this in, Mary ends the passage saying she is and will be a willing and a servant of God.

What about you? Does knowing Jesus knows you, cares and loves you make a difference in your life? Mary was willing to step out in faith and trust God with her life and her future to serve Him. Does that describe you? If not fully, make it a matter of prayer and know God is personal and you make a difference to Him. I love 2 Peter 3:9 “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” He wants everyone to come to faith in Jesus and belong to His family. Who can you tell about Jesus, a personal God who loves you?

Linda