The Angel Gabriel Brings a Message of Hope in the Midst of the Seemingly Impossible

“The angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. And the virgin’s name was Mary” (Luke 1:26–27). The message brought by Gabriel to Mary seemed impossible. She, a lowly young virgin, had been chosen by the Lord to give birth to the Son of God! “How will this be?” Mary exclaimed. “Nothing will be impossible with God,” responded the angel (Luke 1:34, 37). Mary’s response has become the primary model for all who would come to believe in Jesus thereafter: “Let it be to me according to your word” (Luke 1:38). In the moments of our lives when it seems impossible that we could be forgiven and we are without hope, God comes to us with words of forgiveness in Jesus. “Let it be to me according to Your word.” When we are struck with grief in the face of death and hope seems distant, God comes to us with words of eternal life in Jesus. “Let it be to me according to Your word.” Advent brings hope into the midst of life’s most impossible situations.