In this sermon, we looked in Luke 1:26-50 at Mary's response to Gabriel's announcement that she was about to become pregnant with the Messiah. When Mary first encounters the angel, she is stricken with fear. Like many of us, she tries to calm her own fears by attempting to control the situation. Instead of giving into Mary's demand for understanding, Gabriel responds to Mary's troubled heart by letting her know that God is bigger than her fear and that He is going to overshadow her with His presence and power. Mary surrenders to the Lord's will for her life and her fear is transformed into rejoicing. Fear is the God-given emotion that is meant to send to us running to God. We run to God because we trust in Him as a good Father who has good intentions for our lives. In His arms, we surrender our desire for control and acknowledge that our anxiety and rage are inadequate responses to our fear. Like a good father, God helps us discern what is true and replaces our fears with rejoicing.
