of grace," and it has been misinterpreted to encourage the practice of
praying to the virgin as divine. It does not mean, however, that Mary was
to be a source but rather a recipient of grace; upon her God was bestowing
peculiar favor. She may rightly be regarded as the most blessed among
women; but only a woman still.

Mary had been startled by so strange an appearance and greeting; now she
was further amazed by the announcement, "Thou shalt ... bring forth a son,
and shalt call his name Jesus." Before her marriage she was to become a
mother, and she was to call her child by that significant name which
signifies "Saviour" or "God is Saviour." "He shall be great," continued
the angel, both in his person, as "the Son of the Most High," and in his
royal power, for "the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his
father David." This throne of David does not refer to the Christian Church
or to merely heavenly or spiritual influence. It is a rule on earth which
here is promised, yet it is not to be limited to one nation nor is it to
be confined to one age. It is the Kingdom of the Messiah, which is to
bring joy to "the house of Jacob for ever" and also to all the nations of
the world--"and of his kingdom there shall be no end."

The exclamation of Mary expressed astonishment but not unbelief: "How
shall this be?" Then came the answer which is unsurpassed as a clear and
sublime statement of the incarnation, "The Holy Spirit shall come upon
thee, and the power of the Most High shall overshadow thee;" the creative
power of God was to rest upon Mary as the cloud of glory had rested upon
the tabernacle of Israel and as a result the child who would be born
should be in reality, and should be called, "the Son of God." Of the truth
of his promise the angel added a sign and proof in the surprising fact
that Elisabeth, the aged kinswoman of Mary, was soon to be blessed with a
son. This was in fulfillment of a promise made by the same angel
messenger, and the marvel in the case of Elisabeth would assure Mary of
the certain accomplishment of the gracious and more surprising promise to
her. The reply of Mary is probably unequaled in all history as an
expression of perfect faith, "Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto
me according to thy word." Thus she revealed belief in the word of God and
submission to the will of God. There was no doubt in her mind as to the
truth of the divine promise with all that it suggested of miracle a