Beth and I always stay for credits and a possible “Easter egg” following a movie at the theater. The one I enjoyed most came at the end of, I believe, a Spiderman film several years ago. I probably have details wrong, but as I remember it a military and scientific team has surrounded a discovery in the desert or some wilderness place. We see all the security and force guarding some secret. Then the camera zooms in and at the center of it all is a huge, ancient hammer. Then it fades out.
I looked at Beth, but she was totally baffled by the mystery. What was the hammer about? She hadn’t read the right comic books, so the teaser in that trailer was totally lost on her. I laughed and said, “Thor! They’re doing a Thor movie.” That subtle announcement was totally lost on her.
Our text from Luke 1:26-38 tells us that Jesus’ birth was preceded by a mysterious announcement that baffled even His mother. The angel messenger carried mysterious news. First, there was the simple fact that he was appearing to a young girl of humble circumstances saying that she was “favored.” Verse29 says that Mary was “much perplexed.” What could the angel of the Lord possibly want of someone from her background and class? Why would she be favored?
The angel’s announcement and explanation only deepen the mystery. Mary is going to have a son. She will name Him Jesus and He “will be great,” says verse 32, “will be called the Son of the Most High,” in other words, “the Son of God.” To this unknown woman in a tiny country on the edge of the Roman empire, God is announcing the greatest mystery the world will ever see.
Mary’s perplexity extends even to the practical question of how such a thing might occur, since she is a virgin. And the answer to that question simply makes it all even more mysterious, the Holy Spirit, the power of God will “overshadow” her, says the angel in verse 35. No human male will be involved in this baby’s conception.
Thus we enter into the great mystery at the center of Christian faith, the Incarnation of the Son of God. May our response echo Mary’s own response to the mystery and her perplexity. Let us learn to say in all the perplexities we face, “let it be with me according to your word.”