“How will this be?” was Mary’s initial response when the angel told her she was going to bear a child. She was gobsmacked! She knew she was a virgin. Why would she, a simple girl, be found to have favor with God? So much so that she would conceive and give birth to God’s only son, Jesus. Can you imagine all the things that must have been swirling around in her head? So many questions. Why me? Why now? How? I can barely handle ordering at a restaurant when the server asks me which sides, what type of salad dressing, how do you want your steak cooked? So many questions. And yet, here is Mary. A young girl in her teens being chosen by the God of the universe to be the mother of God incarnate. I love the patience of the angel. Anyone who has lived through the early years (and sometimes not so early years) of parenthood has experienced the barrage of questions thrown at us by our children. Why is the sky blue? Why do elephants have trunks? Is Santa real? And of course, the inevitable “Where do babies come from?” As a dad, my patience would usually run out after question three or four. After that, my answer was “Because I said so.” Gratifying for me, not so much for our sons. But the angel was gentle in his response to Mary’s “why.” He explains how, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you.” He tells her who, “The Son of God.” The angel even assures her that she is not the only one experiencing a “why” moment, telling her that her cousin Elizabeth, who was beyond the typical child-bearing years, was six months pregnant. The angel concludes with the assurance that “…no word from God will ever fail.” Mary, with her questions answered, follows with magnificent obedience, “May your word to me be fulfilled.” What else could she say? This Christmas, as we celebrate the greatest gift, all of mankind is asked the question, “Will you believe?” The “whys” and “wherefores” have been answered in Christ. May Mary’s words resonate in our ears, “May your word to me be fulfilled.”
