“In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph” (Luke 1:26).

Elizabeth and Zechariah were an older couple, both descended from Israel’s priestly line. They lived together in a small village west of Jerusalem, except for the weeks when Zechariah’s division was called up to serve in the Temple.

Zechariah was on “incense duty” during the evening sacrifice, when the angel Gabriel appeared, announcing that the priest’s prayers had been heard and his childless wife would soon bear a son. And not just any son! He would be filled with the Holy Spirit—even before birth! He would preach in the power of Elijah! And make ready a people prepared for the Lord! 

And though Zechariah expressed some doubt, Elizabeth was beyond jubilant:

“[The Lord] has shown his favor and taken away my disgrace” (Luke 1:25).

But how different Gabriel’s annunciation to Elizabeth’s cousin Mary would be!

First of all, Mary was not married. Though pledged to Joseph, she was in an almost-but-not-quite state called “betrothal.” The match had been arranged, the marriage price was paid, and the wedding contract was signed. But ceremony, consummation, and cohabitation were still months away.

In this liminal state, Mary was visited by the angel: 

“Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you” (Luke 1:28).

Luke records Mary’s reaction to this “good news”: 

“Mary was greatly troubled at his words” (v. 29).

Gabriel reads Mary’s expression:

“Do not be afraid, Mary. You have found favor with God. You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. 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, and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end” (vv. 30–33).

It was, as we say, A LOT. 

Unlike Gabriel’s message to Zechariah, this was DEFINITELY NOT AN ANSWER TO PRAYER! 

And while Elizabeth’s pregnancy removed her disgrace, Mary knows that hers will raise questions. Invite gossip. Bring disgrace. 

And what will Joseph say?

Gabriel spends much of the rest of Luke 1 “angel-splaining” the impending miraculous birth to this overwhelmed young woman, who finally surrenders: 

“I am the Lord’s servant. May your word to me be fulfilled” (v. 38). 

Luke goes on to describe Jesus’ birth as shepherds, angels, and the Heavenly Host welcome the Messiah-child. 

But through the din of celebration, he also notes the quiet internal struggle of the young woman wrestling to understand this mystery—and the crucial role she has been chosen to play:

Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart (Luke 2:19).

This Christmas, as we receive anew God’s indescribable gift, let’s consider Mary. Who hears that the Lord has favored her in such a strange and miraculous way. Who walks a path of endless pondering. From her baby’s first cry, when the glory of the Lord lit up the night. To her son’s final words, that dark afternoon, when he hung on a cross. A lifetime of mysterious moments, all stored up in the heart of the Lord’s servant.