The 3rd Sunday of Advent ~ The Annunciation

And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary.  And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women.

And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be

 

And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name Jesus.  He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.

 

Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?

 

And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.  For with God nothing shall be impossible.

 

And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her. (Luke 1: 26-35, 37, 38)

 

Mary was a young girl when the angel appeared - far younger than we would like to think!  Most Biblical scholars place her age at between 13 and 15 years of age.  Her maturity of faith, her innocence of youth, and her unquestioning obedience are a marvel to me.  She raised the concerns that she had and once her question was answered she said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word.  This is truly remarkable and worthy of emulation.

 

Joseph's story is another example of faith and obedience.

 

Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.

 

Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily.

 

But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.  And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name Jesus*: for he shall save his people from their sins.

 

Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.

 

Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife: And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name Jesus. (Matthew 1: 18-25)

 

Under Mosaic Law, Mary could have been stoned to death for being pregnant and unmarried.  But Joseph was a kind man as well as a just man.  He decided on a private "divorce" (for to be engaged was more binding in ancient Judah than it is today and it required a divorce if the engagement were broken.)  Perhaps he thought to send her away to relatives in another area to save her the death penalty.  But once the angel explained to him what had occurred, he, like Mary, believed what he was told and acted accordingly.  I have such respect for this remarkable man. 

 

God chose His Son's earthly parents well.

 

*The name Jesus literally means Jehovah saves.  His name was a pronouncement of His mission.

 

Text copyright December 2013, Gebara Education

 

Pictures:

Advent wreath from www.stteresa-avila.org

Gabriel and Mary from Carl Heinrich Block

Gabriel and Joseph from Raphael