ADVENT SEASON

Do You Resonate With Mary’s Skepticism When Hearing News from an Angel?

I know I do!

African-American painter Henry Ossawa Tanner, 1898—courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

Spirit, help me in my times of disbelief and skepticism. My humanity is frail, and I am not always equipped to hear such beautiful news. Help me rejoice when hearing good news, regardless of how impossible it seems.

Note: all Biblical passages are from The Inclusive Bible translation.

For the first time in the Christmas story, I heard something new.

Mary has an angelic visitor named Gabriel, who arrives with a bullhorn message, “Rejoice, highly favored one! God is with you! Blessed are you among women! (Luke 1:28)

This is referred to as the Annunciation — when Gabriel announces the calling placed on Mary’s life.

In the Quran, the Annunciation is shared in Surah 003:045, verses 45–51.

“Behold! the angels said: “O Mary! God giveth thee glad tidings of a Word from Him: his name will be Christ Jesus, the son of Mary, held in honour in this world and the Hereafter and of (the company of) those nearest to God;”