COURSE LEARNING PACKETS Document Code FM-STL-014
Saint Louis University Revision No. 01
School of Teacher Education and Liberal Arts Effectivity June 07, 2021
Page 1 of 2
INSPIRED WORD
The Birth of Jesus Foretold
In the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town of Galilee called
Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the house of David, and the
virgin’s name was Mary. And coming to her, he said, “Hail, favored one! The Lord is with
you.” But she was greatly troubled at what was said and pondered what sort of greeting
this might be. Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found
favor with God. Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall
name him Jesus. He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High, and the Lord
God will give him the throne of David, his father, and he will rule over the house of Jacob
forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.” But Mary said to the angel, “How can
this be, since I have no relations with a man?” And the angel said to her in reply, “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 called holy, the Son of God. And behold, Elizabeth,
your relative, has also conceived a son in her old age, and this is the sixth month for her
who was called barren; for nothing will be impossible for God.” Mary said, “Behold, I am
the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.” Then the
angel departed from her. (Luke 1:26-38)
In the Gospel of Luke, Mary’s “Behold…may it be done” (1:38) is grounded in her
intimate and humble relationship with her God. In the end, it is in her “Behold” moment
wherein she turned and rested her future in Greater Mystery that ultimately carries the
day. Luke’s story of Mary includes a woman’s spiritual life of prayer and relationship with
God. Moreover, it portrays her wisdom to discern deep waters, her need for practical
encouragement, and her courage to enter into the ways that God might act in her life,
maybe wanting more concrete answers, but still willing to risk that the Spirit will lead and
not abandon her.
The announcement to Mary of the birth of Jesus is parallel to the announcement
to Zechariah of the birth of John. In both the angel Gabriel appears to the parent who is
troubled by the vision and then told by the angel not to fear. After the announcement is
made the parent objects and a sign is given to confirm the announcement. The
particular focus of the announcement of the birth of Jesus is on his identity as Son of David
and Son of God.
Mary’s questioning response is a denial of sexual relations and is used by Luke to
lead to the angel’s declaration about the Spirit’s role in the conception of this child.
According to Luke, the virginal conception of Jesus takes place through the Holy Spirit,
the power of God, and therefore Jesus has a unique relationship to Yahweh: He is Son of
God.
COURSE LEARNING PACKETS Document Code FM-STL-014
Saint Louis University Revision No. 01
School of Teacher Education and Liberal Arts Effectivity June 07, 2021
Page 2 of 2
The sign given to Mary in confirmation of the angel’s announcement to her is the
pregnancy of her aged relative Elizabeth. If a woman past the childbearing age could
become pregnant, why, the angel implies, should there be doubt about Mary’s
pregnancy, for nothing will be impossible for God.
Points for Reflection:
1. If you think about Mary's human experience of meeting and talking with the
angel Gabriel – what can you imagine that experience is about?
2. What are the key attitudes towards faith does Mary exemplify in this story?
