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Luke 1:26-38 – New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition

26 In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, 27 to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. 28 And he came to her and said, “Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you.” 29 But she was much perplexed by his words and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. 30 The angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. 31 And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his ancestor David. 33 He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.” 34 Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I am a virgin?” 35 The angel said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be holy; he will be called Son of God. 36 And now, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son, and this is the sixth month for her who was said to be barren. 37 For nothing will be impossible with God.” 38 Then Mary said, “Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.” Then the angel departed from her.

Excerpt from Amazing Peace, A Christmas Poem – by Maya Angelou

…we think we hear a whisper.

At first it is too soft. And then only half heard.

We listen carefully as it gathers strength.

We hear a sweetness.

The word is Peace.

It is loud now.

Louder than the explosions of bombs.

We tremble at the sound. We are thrilled by

its presence.

It is what we have hungered for. 

Not just the absence of war. But true Peace. 

A harmony of spirit, a comfort of courtesies. 

Security for our beloveds and their beloveds. 

We clap hands and welcome the Peace of

Christmas. 

We beckon this good season to wait awhile

with us.

We, Baptist, and Buddhist, Methodist and

Muslim, say come.

Peace.

Come and fill us and our world with your 

majesty.

We, the Jew, and the Jainist, the Catholic and 

The Confucian,

Implore you to stay awhile with us

So we may learn by your shimmering light

How to look beyond complexion and see

Community.

It is Christmas time, a halting of hate time.

--- 

All the earth’s tribes loosen their voices

To celebrate the promise of Peace.

We, Angels and Mortals, Believers and

Nonbelievers,

Look heavenward and speak the word aloud.

Peace. We look at our world and speak the 

word aloud. 

Peace. We look at each other, then into 

ourselves,

And we say without shyness or apology or 

hesitation:

Peace, my Brother.

Peace, my Sister.

Peace, my Soul.

I cannot tell you how to hear this scripture; how to hold this story in your heart and mind. But I would like to frame it with this poem written by Mary Oliver, titled, “The World I Live In.” 

I have refused to live 

locked in the orderly house of 

reasons and proofs. 

The world I live in and believe in 

is wider than that. And anyway, 

what’s wrong with Maybe? 

You wouldn’t believe what once or 

twice I have seen. I’ll just 

tell you this: 

only if there are angels in your head will you 

ever, possibly, see one. 

“Greetings, favored one[s]! The Lord is with you.” 

I would wager that many in this room have been visited by an angel bringing a message from God. And like Zechariah in the scripture read last week and Mary in the scripture read today you also had the experience of doubt and fear. Hopefully, also acceptance. 

Whereas last week’s scripture told us of Zechariah and Elizabeth’s answered prayers – there was no such prayer yet formed in Mary’s heart. 

In this narrative the Angel Gabriel did not come to tell her that she was bearing her desired child, but that she would bear a child. Yet, in this ancient narrative saga, Mary is presented as a consenting participant as God conspires to come into the world as a baby, her baby.

So yes, I believe that God speaks to us, sometimes through angels. And we do have the choice to say ‘yes’ or ‘no.’ It is risky to say ‘yes’ to God. Saying ‘yes’ is almost always scary and frightening but also rewarding and fulfilling. Saying ‘yes’ changes our lives and the world around us for the better. It takes incredible bravery to say ‘yes’ to the unknown, uncertain, sometimes undesired requests that God asks of us. 

If we are to be partners with God able to consent, we must also be also be able to say ‘no.’ Also risky. Saying ‘no’ stops or delays the goodness taking shape in our lives and in the world all around us. When we say ‘no’ to these divine requests we fall out of step with the master choreographer, creating vibrational waves of discord in the world. When we say ‘yes’ we come into a measure of peace like none other. 

There are many definitions of peace, most of them are nouns, as found in the Merriam-Webster dictionary. 

1: a state of tranquility or quiet: such as freedom from civil disturbance

b: a state of security or order within a community provided for by law or custom

2: freedom from disquieting or oppressive thoughts or emotions

3: harmony in personal relations

4a: a state or period of mutual concord between governments

4b: a pact or agreement to end hostilities between those who have been at war or in a state of enmity

5—used interjectionally to ask for silence or calm or as a greeting or farewell

The definition that resonates most with me is found in today’s Invocation. True peace is not just the absence of violence but the presence of justice and solidarity. 

The author of Luke illustrated that all things are possible with God within the context of this epic saga we know as Luke’s birth narrative. Nothing is impossible when we are living our lives in concert with God as part of a greater whole. When Mary consented to play her part, when we consent to play our parts, harmony ensues. True peace becomes possible. 

Imagine how much, or how little of what the Angel Gabriel says that Mary, or  you, would comprehend in the moment. Mary seems to stop hearing after the words, “you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus...”  Wouldn’t we all? That was enough of a shock. But the Angel Gabriel went on to say a whole lot more. Maybe the declaration of who Mary’s child would be was less shocking to her than the news that she would bear a child, any child. Not “how can this be?” that my child will grow up to be the savior of the world but “how can this be?” that I will become pregnant since I have not “known” a man. 

Gabriel’s response to her question was to offer proof that all things are possible with God. The Angel Gabriel concludes with, 36 And now, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son, and this is the sixth month for her who was said to be barren. To which Mary consents, “Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.”

The author of Luke uses the same “script” for Mary as for Zechariah… an angel of God appears… says do not be afraid… you are chosen… they express doubt… are told to what to name them child… the child will be great… Parallel and intersecting stories happen to Elizabeth/Zechariah/John and Mary/Joseph/Jesus. 

Parallel and intersecting stories happen to us also. This scripture is for all of us. All of us. We are not excluded if we do not have the ability to carry a child in our body. It is more than a literal birth narrative. When the Angel Gabriel comes to us at God’s behest, the Holy Spirit overshadows us, and whatever request is made is ours to bring to life. Elizabeth and Zechariah conceiving and bringing their son John into this world was one example of all things, no matter how unlikely, being possible. Young Mary, chosen to give birth and to name her child Jesus, the Greek form of the Hebrew name Joshua, meaning, “God has saved” is another example.

God works in us and through us when we are willing partners. God cannot accomplish all things without us. We are all players in this grand production. 

What world do we live in? I want to live in a world that Mary Oliver describes where Maybe exists alongside the certainty of science. I want to live in a world where angels of God are in our heads and in our hearts. I want to live in a world where peace is not only possible but is our reality. 

May it be so. 

Amen

Rev. TJ Mack – December 8, 2024