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By Frankie Sherman

Today we will travel to an obscure village in Galilee. Our former traveling companion, the angel Gabriel, is back serving as a messenger of God. This time, the recipient of his message is a very young, devout Jewish girl. She will join us for the remainder of our journey.

Our Scripture is probably familiar and perhaps a favorite. Take your time as you read Luke 1:26-38, letting yourself imagine all that took place.

At the time of Gabriel’s visit, Mary’s life was planned. She was engaged to a carpenter named Joseph. According to Matthew 1:19, he was a "righteous man." They were to live in the village in which he worked, and she would be the mother of his children. It would be a typical and ordinary life—nicely planned.

Then, Gabriel showed up, and life would never be the same.

Have you ever had your life planned and suddenly everything was turned upside down? How did you respond?

Mary’s first response was fear. Gabriel’s presence alone would be enough to frighten her. I cannot imagine Gabriel as small. I picture this messenger of God as large, powerful, and somewhat intimidating due to his holiness. However, it wasn’t only his appearance that frightened her, but his greeting as well. He said, "Greetings, you who are highly favored. The Lord is with you."

Can you imagine the thoughts that went through Mary’s mind? No one considered women in her culture to be "highly favored." In fact, parents were often disappointed at the birth of a female child. So how could God find favor with a young girl like her?

The angel Gabriel continues. "Do not be afraid, Mary. You have found favor with God." Then Gabriel shares what will happen.

I picture the stunned adolescent trying to process the information she is receiving. Gabriel’s words were familiar to her. Devout Jews were looking for the promised Messiah. Yet she never imagined the fulfillment of the promise would involve her!

Mary’s humble response, "How can this be, since I am a virgin?" is not a question born of doubt, but rather in seeking instructions and information. When your plans turn upside down, do you seek instruction from God? Certainly this is a valuable lesson we can learn from Mary.

Let’s continue. After explaining that the Holy Spirit will cause Mary to conceive, Gabriel speaks another name in verse 36. It is not the name of Mary’s mother or her husband-to-be…it is her elderly relative Elizabeth’s! Gabriel shares the wonderful news that Elizabeth is in her sixth month of pregnancy.

Have you ever wondered why Gabriel shared this information with Mary?

Perhaps, Gabriel understood how young and vulnerable Mary was and that her generation had not experienced the power of God. I believe that Gabriel wanted to provide both assurance and evidence that Jehovah God was on the move again! If an elderly relative, long past childbearing years could conceive, then maybe, what the angel said was true!

With great confidence Gabriel says, "Nothing is impossible with God!" I imagine he said this with tenderness and power. He had just delivered the greatest news ever told to a woman. "The Messiah is coming, and you will be His mother!"

 Frankie Sherman is a national speaker, comedian, and Bible teacher for conferences, retreats, and women's events. She fell in love with Jesus at Vacation Bible School and takes every opportunity to tell others about the joy of being alive in Christ. She is a former choreographer for the Georgia Peach Bowl and the Florida Citrus Bowl Halftime Show. Her specialty is in theater musical/productions. Her first Bible Study, Why We Need Girlfriends is based on the relationship of Mary and Elizabeth, from Luke's gospel. Two women brought together by extraordinary circumstances by an extraordinary God. Frankie is from South Carolina—loves sweet tea, BIG hair and her grand-girls. She believes there will never be another Elvis. And knows that her Jesus will return for her soon. For more information see http://www.frankiesherman.com or contact her publicist, Kathy Carlton Willis at WillisWay@aol.com.