Let it be to me...

TODAY’S SPECIAL: Luke 1:26-38

TO CHEW ON: “‘For with God nothing shall be impossible.’ Then Mary said, ‘Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to Your word.’ And the angel departed from her.” Luke 1:37-38


“Let it be to me according to Your word.” To me these words of sweet surrender typify this thoughtful Galilean teenager. An angel has just told her God favors her. That favor will result in her becoming pregnant with the very Son of God. But what a spot for a soon-to-be-married young woman to find herself in!

"The Annunciation"
by Dante Gabriel Rosetti 1828-1882

Mary asked one question: “How can this be, since I do not know a man.” I can’t help but think that dozens of others came to her after the angel left: What about my reputation? Won’t my life be in danger when people find out I’m pregnant? What about Joseph? No doubt the simple faith that had her utter the words, "Let it be to me according to Your word" in the first place, buoyed her up through the confusion of the following weeks and months.

God, in His own way and time, took care of each concern so that when Jesus was born, He had a responsible caring, committed earthly father in Joseph. As for Mary’s reputation–well, Joseph took care of it to the extent he could. As for people thinking ill of her (and there probably were some), that’s the risk one takes when one is a "maidservant of the Lord."

Has God ever come to you with a word (rhema) that seems as impossible as Gabriel’s to Mary? Perhaps you’ve been given a promise about your kids, or a work commission that seems far beyond your ability and totally out of sync with your circumstances. At the time it came, and still, you may be asking, “How can this thing be?”

Let Mary’s final words be your resolve and testimony as you wait for God’s promise to be fulfilled: “Let it be to me according to Your word.”

PRAYER: Dear God, please nourish in me a faith that is as simple and implicit as Mary’s, where I trust You to work things out because “With God (You) nothing will be impossible.” Amen.

MORE: The Feast of the Annunciation

Today the church celebrates the Feast of the Annunciation – when we recall Gabriel’s announcement to Mary that she will mother of the Son of God.

The liturgy of this day begins with this collect:

"Pour your grace into our hearts, O Lord, that we who have known the incarnation of your Son Jesus Christ, announced by an angel to the Virgin Mary, may by his cross and passion be brought to the glory of his resurrection; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen."

Liturgy for this day.


Biber - Rosary Sonata #1: The Annunciation
HEINRICH IGNAZ FRANZ VON BIBER (1644-1704)
"The Rosary Sonatas"
I. The Five Joyful Mysteries
Sonata No. 1 for violin and basso continuo "The Annunciation"



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Unless otherwise noted all Scripture quotations are taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.