Given that the marrying age in first century Palestine . . .

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, she’s 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 can tell, she is now on her own!

Actually, when you get right down to it, there is very little in terms of practical, here’s-how-to-handle-this instruction from Gabriel.  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 exactly does that mean?

Will it happen right away?  What will it feel like when it does?  Will it be an easy pregnancy?  What if Joseph doesn’t agree to marry me?  Will I have to raise God’s child all on my own?  Question after question after question.

Suffice it to say, the Christmas-card impression that we sometimes have of Mary—sitting there at the feet of Gabriel, serene as a beatitude, and without a worry in the world—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!