Given that the marrying age in first century Palestine was considerably younger than it is today, odds are that Mary was barely out of childhood herself when she is asked to give birth to God’s child. Some scholars think that she was only thirteen or fourteen—sixteen at the most. In other words, hardly old enough to have a child at all; let alone this child!
Of course, the angel Gabriel does his best to reassure Mary, telling her that she has “found favor with God.” But by the time he is done explaining everything that is about to take place, Mary may have wondered whether “finding favor with God” was a blessing or a burden.
After all, what is she supposed to do now? Should she just stroll over to Joseph—a man she barely knows—and casually mention, “By the way, sweetheart, an interesting thing happened to me the other day; you might want to sit down before I tell you about it.”
Notice that, in Gabriel’s announcement, nothing is mentioned about interpreting this to her family, or how he plans to hold a town meeting so that she will not be driven out of Nazareth in utter disgrace. As far as Mary is concerned, she is now on her own!
Actually, there is very little in terms of practical, here’s-how-to-handle-this instruction. The only thing Mary is told is that “the Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you.” But what on earth does that mean?
Will it happen right away? What will it feel like when it does? Will it be an easy pregnancy? Does one still experience morning sickness if you are carrying God’s child?
Suffice to say, the Christmas-card impression that we sometimes have of Mary—sitting there at the feet of Gabriel, serene as a beatitude—may not tell the whole story. My guess is that she was absolutely panic-stricken.
But then again, Gabriel might have been a little rattled himself. He keeps telling Mary that she mustn’t be afraid. However, I have always suspected that, beneath those great and golden wings, he, too, was trembling at the thought that the whole future of creation now rests on the faithful response of a teenage girl!
Of course, the angel Gabriel does his best to reassure Mary, telling her that she has “found favor with God.” But by the time he is done explaining everything that is about to take place, Mary may have wondered whether “finding favor with God” was a blessing or a burden.
After all, what is she supposed to do now? Should she just stroll over to Joseph—a man she barely knows—and casually mention, “By the way, sweetheart, an interesting thing happened to me the other day; you might want to sit down before I tell you about it.”
Notice that, in Gabriel’s announcement, nothing is mentioned about interpreting this to her family, or how he plans to hold a town meeting so that she will not be driven out of Nazareth in utter disgrace. As far as Mary is concerned, she is now on her own!
Actually, there is very little in terms of practical, here’s-how-to-handle-this instruction. The only thing Mary is told is that “the Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you.” But what on earth does that mean?
Will it happen right away? What will it feel like when it does? Will it be an easy pregnancy? Does one still experience morning sickness if you are carrying God’s child?
Suffice to say, the Christmas-card impression that we sometimes have of Mary—sitting there at the feet of Gabriel, serene as a beatitude—may not tell the whole story. My guess is that she was absolutely panic-stricken.
But then again, Gabriel might have been a little rattled himself. He keeps telling Mary that she mustn’t be afraid. However, I have always suspected that, beneath those great and golden wings, he, too, was trembling at the thought that the whole future of creation now rests on the faithful response of a teenage girl!
posted by Dr. Robert Crilley at
12:19 PM
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