Friday, December 2, 2022  

Today’s Scripture Reading
Luke 1:26–38

In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. And he came to her and said, “Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you.” But she was much perplexed by his words and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. The angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor 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, and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his ancestor David. He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.” Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I am a virgin?” 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. 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. For nothing will be impossible with God.” 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. (NRSV)

Reflection

I am viewing Gabriel’s annunciation to Mary through the lens of a middle and high school teacher. Some say that Mary may have been fourteen or fifteen years old. My career allows me the unique opportunity to interact with and to learn from adolescents. Though often mislabeled as being shy or as having low self-esteem, these characters have little doubt about themselves. 

I know why some of us mislabel them. When I meet a little child/adult wearing a hoodie cinched up to their top lip and tugged down to their eyebrows, and say, “Hi, Billy!” Billy does not respond. No eye contact is made. It appears that Billy wishes that they, or I, or both of us were dead.

This may have been the look that Mary gave Gabriel. Luke narrates that Gabriel burst forth with “Hail, O favored one, the Lord is with you!” Followed by this reaction, “Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be.” Oh, I know the look Mary may have given Gabriel. Or the “no eye contact” expression. I do. Billy taught me this one.

Billy didn’t think any less of Billy. These adolescents are not filled with self-doubt. They just want the scary, overbearing teacher to go away. It was my interpretation that sold Billy short. And perhaps I have judged Mary in the same way.  

As a middle school teacher and musical director, I have had little mousie-kiddos whisper into my ear aspirations of their future life on the stage. I can barely hear them say, “I’m going to make it one day, Ms. Sinclair.” I have judged them with loving pity and prayers for protection that they do not get their little hearts broken. I have also gone to see them years later in Broadway productions and professional theater events, and I currently watch one little mouse on TV every week. These teenagers knew then what we see now.  

Yes, Mary gave Gabriel a look. Then Mary said, “Yes. Of course, me.” 

Prayer

God, thank you for your servant, Mary. Thank you for the quiet confidence that she expressed. Help me to answer your call today with the faith and confidence of a child. Amen.

Written by Katy Sinclair, Member of Fourth Presbyterian Church

Reflection and prayer © Fourth Presbyterian Church

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