Luke 1:34-35
34 Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I am a virgin?” 35 The angel said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore, the child to be born will be holy; he will be called Son of God.
Thursday, December 4 - Week of Hope
Gabriel’s news for Mary came with an understandable sense of confusion. How would it be possible for her to bear a child? Through Gabriel’s explanation, we are reminded that with God, nothing is impossible.
The honorific, “son of god,” was attributed to many figures in Jesus’ time. However, those human-granted titles merely elevated figures to a status as being next to God or the gods. What we read in the story of Jesus’ birth transcended human understanding and redefined what it really meant. Through Mary, Emmanuel (God with us), would truly be born into the world, quite literally being the Son of God.
When our realities or human perspectives are reframed, we can more clearly see things from God’s perspective. As we prayerfully meditate upon what it really meant for God to humble Himself and come into the world as a child, we should have a renewed perspective on the level of humility God demonstrated for us. God, who is Triune and eternal, chose to put on flesh and dwell among us as Christ Jesus. That level of humility should not be overlooked and can help us better appreciate the gift of grace born into the world.
Prayer: God of all things, your humility demonstrated the extent of your love for all of us. Thank you. Amen.
