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TODAY’S WORD…

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Mary said to the angel,

‘How can this be, since I am a virgin?’

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– Luke 1:34 (NRSV)

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REFLECTION…

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Mary’s story is a wonderful story.

It is a story about the leap of faith.

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The angel came to Mary and said,

‘Greetings, favoured one! The Lord is with you.’

But she was much perplexed by his words and pondered what sort of greeting this might be.

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The angel said to her,

‘Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favour with God.

And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name Him Jesus.

He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High…’ (Lk 1:28-32)

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Yet Mary, who is the model of faith and obedience, asks “How can this be, since I am a virgin?”

It is encouraging that even Mary had doubts and questions,

but it is also significant that her strong faith allows her to correctly discern what the angel tells her

and she then takes that most wonderful leap of faith and makes the incredible statement,

‘Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.’ (Lk 1:38)

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For many, this is where our leap of faith comes in.

Many have a hard time believing the story of Mary.

A virgin mother? It is a stumbling block to many. It flies in the face of everything we know about this world.

For some of us it is a leap of faith, but not a big one.

Either God is God or He isn’t.

After all, the Omnipotent Creator of the universe should have little trouble creating a virgin mother!

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PRAYER…

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Lord, grant that the joy of this Advent season is not lost in all the busy hustle and bustle.

Grant also that I will not let this glorious time and opportunity I have before me slip by,

and that I will make the leap of faith and embrace You, my most loving Saviour.

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