Miracle Child

`You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus.  He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David,’  Luke 1:31-32 (NIV)

Mary is there before the angel of the Lord.  He is bringing her not only his shocking supernatural presence, but an even more impossible message.  Nearly every woman may yearn for the opportunity to experience having a baby.  But in the way described here by the angel, how could Mary take it?  How could anybody take information like that?  But the angel does not stop there.  He adds more mystery to his message by saying that the Child will be the Son of God!

Could we relate with Mary when she asks how this could possibly be?  Can we marvel at her faith in God for not rejecting the thought outright at the first mention?  Trembling, she asks how a virgin could ever have something like this happen to her.  Could we find some light in the angel´s explication?  He tells her that it is possible by the power of God!  He says it is done through the work and Presence of the Holy Spirit!  Would that make sense?  Would it take Something or Someone bigger than our reality to achieve such impossible miracles?  The angel goes on to clarify.  He tells of her relative who is also to have a miracle baby and that she is already seeing proof of the Lord´s words.  Then he adds simply, “For nothing is impossible with God.” (Verse 37)

What can we do with such words?  How can we take such information in?  Even after all these years and through all the studies of countless people, is it still too much to fathom?  If we put all our calculations together of all those who have considered this miracle from Mary´s time to ours, could we mount it all up into a substantial understanding?  Or would we still need to leave it to faith?  Is there some brainy super-human somewhere who has it all figured out?  Or are we all in the same boat, from the smartest to the slowest?  Is this one of those instances which we would all have to accept the limitations of our nature?  Does every person alive reach a point where they have to leave it up to God to be able to do what He says He can do?  Or could we try to remove from God the ability He says He has by doubting His power or His existence?  Where do we choose to stand?

Is it remarkable as we read on about Mary, exactly how she responded in the face of such wonder?  When the angel informed of the limitless power of God, how did Mary react?  Did she puff herself up before such impossible news?  Did she resort to her own understanding of the way things work here on earth?  Or did she humbly bow before the will of God?  Did she leave everything in His big hands?  Do we find her simple faith encouraging?  Can we learn something of the power and will of the Lord by following her example?  Would a good path towards understanding be to accept the notion that we do not see and understand all things?  Could we bring ourselves into access of understanding by drawing near to learn from the only One who can really teach?  Could we stand to learn something by looking to the God who says He designed and prepared all that we see for His good purpose?

Dear Lord, we are amazed to read of others who were confronted with You.  They are like us in that they too could not see how it is possible for Your mighty arm to work in and around us.  Yet as impossible as it may seem, some people have looked past all that we see and have placed their hope in You.  Enable us too we pray.  Let us have some faith like that.  Then prepare us to learn.

Amen