(a) Give an account of Mary's encounter with Angel Gabriel. (b) State two significant points in Mary's reply to the angel's announcement.

(a) Mary's encounter with Angel Gabriel (Luke 1:26-38)

• In the sixth month of Elizabeth's pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin named Mary, betrothed to Joseph of the house of David.
• Gabriel greeted her: "Hail, O favoured one, the Lord is with you."
• Mary was greatly troubled and wondered what kind of greeting this might be.
• The angel told her not to be afraid, for she had found favour with God.
• He announced that she would conceive and bear a son whom she should name Jesus; He would be great, called the Son of the Most High, and given the throne of His father David, reigning over the house of Jacob forever, with a kingdom that would have no end.
• Mary asked how this could be, since she had no husband (was a virgin).
• Gabriel explained that the Holy Spirit would come upon her and the power of the Most High would overshadow her; therefore the child would be holy, the Son of God.
• As a sign, he told her that her kinswoman Elizabeth had also conceived a son in her old age, for with God nothing is impossible.
• Mary answered, "Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word," and the angel departed.

(b) Two significant points in Mary's reply

• Her humility: she described herself as the lowly handmaid (servant) of the Lord, showing self-effacing submission.
• Her faith and total obedience: she accepted God's will unconditionally, saying "let it be to me according to your word," trusting God despite the risk and mystery.