Right in the middle of Lent, we’re given this wonderful gift today!
Nine months before Christmas, the Church celebrates the Annunciation: the day when God sent the Angel Gabriel to Mary:
Coming to her, he said,
Luke 1:28-31
“Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with you.”
But she was greatly troubled at what was said
and pondered what sort of greeting this might be.
Then the angel said to her,
“Do not be afraid, Mary,
for you have found favor with God.
Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son,
and you shall name him Jesus.”
God could have shown His presence to humanity in so many ways. But to ask Mary if she was willing? Phenomenal.
And to take nine months and then arrive as a helpless baby? Unbelievable.
Gods don’t do that, right?
But our God shows us that humility and service are everything, even to the extent that Jesus gives His life for us rather than the other way around.
Hail, Mary! You are the wonderful model we all hope to follow.