One of the most critical moments in the Christmas narrative is the angel Gabriel’s announcement to Mary from Luke 1:26-38. In this passage, we encounter the prophesied birth of Jesus, a momentous occasion that holds profound significance of hope, prophecy, and divine intervention. This is the third entry in our series of The Complete Christmas Story.

As we await Christmas, it’s not just a season of joy and giving, but also a period of contemplation on the great mysteries and stories of faith.

A Divine Messenger: Gabriel’s Visit

The angel Gabriel dispatches God’s invitation to a young woman named Mary, living in a town called Nazareth, a nobody-town in a no-bodies-land. Mary’s selection as Jesus’ mother underscores a primary theme: God frequently chooses the humble over the powerful, the unremarkable over the remarkable. The angel’s greeting, “Hail, highly favored one! The Lord is with you,” conveys the divine favor bestowed upon Mary, underscoring the importance of her role in God’s plan of redemption.

Gabriel’s salutation is a moment when the divine and the human intersect, when heaven kisses earth. There’s a lot of subtext in this declaration, particularly in a culture that so frequently sidelined women. God’s grand inclusive story is evident in God’s confidence in Mary to assume such a significant role.

The Content of the Announcement

Gabriel tells Mary that she is going to have a son, and that his name will be Jesus. The angel also announces that Jesus will be the Son of the Most High and rule over the house of Jacob eternally (Luke 1:31-33). This statement is deeply theological–not simply the birth of a child but the beginning of a new covenant through which God would keep the promises made to Israel and the world.

The Importance of Mary’s Acceptance

Mary’s answer is amazing. I suppose it is difficult to say no to an angel, though I would think most of us would be scared out of our wits, but not Mary. Moreover, if we believe in free will (and we do), then we must believe that she could have said no. So, for a young woman (likely more of a girl, perhaps as young as 14-16), her acceptance is inspiring. She said, ‘I am the Lord’s servant. Let it be to me according to your word” (Luke 1:38). Mary manifests obedience and faith in providential will. This proclamation is an example to Christian believers today to embrace God’s will even when it is mysterious or frightening. By saying yes, Mary exemplifies the faith that opens the door to the incarnation and, consequently, to salvation for all humanity.

Why This Passage is Important to the Christmas Story

The angel Gabriel’s visit to Mary is a key story in the larger Christmas story. It foreshadows Jesus’s birth, highlighting hope, humility, and divine intervention. The incarnation–God in flesh–is the foundation of Christian faith based on the conviction that in Jesus, God entered human history not as a remote divine force but as a defenseless infant. This relationship is profoundly significant to Christians because it demonstrates God’s longing to participate in humanity's affairs.

Contemporary Significance for Christians

This story of Gabriel’s announcement can encourage followers to consider their own lives and how they might answer God’s call. In the same way Mary embraced her part in God’s plan, we are called to find our way in the larger narrative.

This same act of faith that Mary displayed still rings true in the hearts of those who walk through the valley of the shadow of doubt. It calls the faithful to faith in God’s providence, dependence on divine guidance, and boldness in their own situations. Moreover, the tale underscores humility and the significance of saying “yes” to God, even when the way might be uncertain.

This part of the Christmas story also highlights the radical inclusivity of God’s love. In a world that celebrates schism and strife, Gabriel’s greeting to Mary reminds us that God’s favor is not reserved for the strong or elite, but the meek and lowly. The Christmas saga, begun by this angelic proclamation, is that all humans have an invitation to join in fellowship and love.

Conclusion

Jesus’ birth Foretold by the angel Gabriel is central to the Christmas story, both theologically and narratively. Moreover, it continues to provide an example of faith and obedience to the modern Christian. The narrative of Mary’s consent imparts that God’s plans can manifest in surprising ways, inspiring faith to welcome life’s mysteries with receptivity, confidence, and bravery. As Christmas approaches, may the angel Gabriel’s message remind believers to hear their own “yes” to God and to the power of faith interwoven into the Christmas narrative.