6 December

And behold, you will conceive

“Don’t be afraid, Mary,” the angel told her, “for you have found favour with God! You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus.” Luke 1:30-31

I suspect it was a lot for Mary to take in at the time! Not exactly how she might have imagined life panning out in front of her...married with kids maybe, but not like this!

She was called by her name, signifying that she was truly known and seen by God. His love was set upon her. Her humility and her watchful, waiting anticipation of Messiah comes through in her song later in the story. She knew he could arrive at any time and she was ready for the possibility. The reassurance of God's favour upon her would also have been an important promise to return to when she would, likely, have had to face the rest of the community's questioning of her integrity, morality and fidelity in the subsequent months and years. 

I love that God made his home in the womb of a woman. Of this particular First Century woman. Of this ordinary girl-next-door. Of this extraordinary teenager. I love that he chose to come into the world in the most intimate, incarnate way, inextricably linked to his mother's DNA whilst retaining his God-ness; forever intertwined with humanity. All of her and all of God would be united in Jesus' flesh. Her body was considered worthy of holding the world's most precious gift inside it for nine months and she uniquely was given the task of raising this miracle child to adulthood too. She was barely an adult herself and yet God does not once draw attention to what she might lack, but only that his favour being upon her would be enough to help her weather all that lay ahead.

The name Jesus means "God saves". Not only was it by his life, death and resurrection that this name was fulfilled but also in the manner of his birth. In Christ all the fullness of God has been placed at our disposal as we humble ourselves before him. Athanasius said "He became like us so that He might make us like Him." What does this mean for you? 

Elli Walker