Accepting the Gift

Has anyone ever given you a great gift?  It doesn’t have to be some thing; it could be a gift of time, care, sacrifice, or an act of service.  The reaction that most of us have is that we have to do something to give back or we just can’t accept that gift.  Sometimes though, we can receive gifts that are so overwhelmingly generous that we just don’t feel comfortable accepting them. 

Thank you – but it’s just too much. 

In your head, you are thinking – there is just no way I could ever repay them.

The story that we are more familiar with starts with Mary and now, Luke introduces us to her.  Many talk about Mary being a young girl, probably in her teenage years.  Mary was pledged to Joseph, a local carpenter.  Pledged, she was engaged or promised to Joseph, to be his wife.  And with that also came an expectation that Mary was a virgin, coming into her marriage with this precious gift of herself saved for her husband. 

Here is Mary, going about her daily life; chores, wedding plans, gathering, cleaning, cooking, visits with friends, and then – she has a surprise visit!  An angel visited her, saying "Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you," (Luke 1:28).  Ummmm, what to think now?  What should she say? Do? What does that mean?  The Lord, the most Holy God, sent the teenager Mary an angel messenger with a very specific message.  I can just imagine how Mary’s head was spinning – did it go completely blank or did all sorts of thoughts and questions come rushing in?  Did her knees tremble, her hands shake, or was she calm?  In fact, Luke goes on to tell us that Mary “was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be,” (Luke 1:29). 

Mary is about to receive a gift, a gift that is just too much.  Additionally, Mary is about to make a choice, a lifelong changing choice.  The angel realized that shocked look and quickly spoke up with words of comfort, telling Mary to not be afraid.  Instead, he reassures her by telling her she has “found favor with God.”  Then, the angel goes on to deliver the gift.  Mary – you are going to have a baby!  You are going to have a baby boy named Jesus.  “He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end," (Luke 1:32).  I wonder if that angel had to pick Mary up off the floor. 

The gift has been given, Mary you are receiving this incredible honor.  Way bigger than a new car, we are talking about impacting the entire world’s history and future.  It is a pivotal moment in time.  Mary could have balked, refused, stomped and railed at God. 

How could you do this to me?  Do you know what people will say?  And do you mind telling me exactly how I’m going to have a baby?  I’m not married!   What will Joseph say?  What if he doesn’t want me now?  Will people stone me?

You see, Mary had some real concerns.  Becoming pregnant outside of marriage was a stoning offence, a death penalty in gruesome and painful way.  Words could also carry death, words in rumors and gossip, whispers that cut and hurt. 

Picking herself up, Mary asks how this can happen – remember, not married and a virgin. 

The angel gives an answer.  "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God.  Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be barren is in her sixth month. For nothing is impossible with God," (Luke 1: 35-37). 

Again, Mary receives words of encouragement.  The angel gives her an answer which reflects the sovereign power of God, the Creator of the world who spoke everything into existence – now is sharing the very life of His Son, the Son of God with this girl. 

Mary must make a choice, and she makes it so gracefully.  Showing us that the Lord’s choice of who to give this gift too was perfect.  Mary answered that she is the Lord’s servant, the handmaiden.  With this, she accepts the gift. 

The angel leaves.

What a beautiful graceful gift giving.  How often do we turn down gifts God would like to give us?  It’s really hard to be on the receiving end, it’s humbling.  When we do this, are we turning away someone else’s blessing?  How can you help bless someone today?  How can you accept God’s blessing gracefully today?