The Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
I. "The angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth." Never was a time when, humanly speaking, the promises of God might seem so much to have failed: the house of David had departed from the sight of men, was unknown and forgotten, and Israel itself under bondage to the heathen; the prince of this world seemed established above the sanctuary of God. But man's helplessness is God's opportunity, and nothing was lost in His sight; the fulness of the time was come, and it was fitting that the vessel, meet to be the recipient of the Divine grace, should be nurtured, not in kings' palaces, but in obscure poverty: poor in spirit, that hers might be the kingdom of heaven; mourning over the desolations of her household and people, that she might be comforted and their comforter; pure in heart, that she might see God.
II. When Mary saw the angel, "she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be." Slight but very beautiful is this indication of the Virgin's mind: "she was troubled," for the humble are troubled when they hear their own praise; and with that peculiar thoughtfulness which marks all that is said of her she cast in her mind what such a salutation should import. Even as at the last, they who shall hear the words, "Come, ye blessed of My Father," shall say, as it were, "Whence is this voice?" and be even troubled at the saying, as beyond their worthiness.
III. In Mary we see perfect faith, humility, and submission. Calm as deep waters, and thoughtful; as the morning cloud that discloses the rising sun; as the star that first appears when the storm is retiring. Sarah laughed at the strangeness of that salutation beyond all that she looked for; but Mary is composed and reflective, as one that wondered at nothing from the power and the goodness of God. Zacharias doubted, and by a sign was corrected; Mary doubted not, but by a sign was strengthened.
I. Williams, Sermons on the Epistles and Gospels,vol. ii., p. 353.
References: Luke 1:26. A. Whyte, Expositor,3rd series, vol. i., p. 120. Luke 1:26-38. Clergyman's Magazine,vol. ii., p. 146. Luke 1:28. J. Keble, Sermons for Saints' Days,p. 191.Luke 1:31. G. E. L. Cotton, Sermons in Marlborough College,p. 492.Luke 1:32. Spurgeon, Sermons,vol. xxx., No. 1760. Luke 1:34. Ibid.,vol. xxiv., No. 1405.