therefore [1] also, the Holy which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God. And behold, thy cousin Elizabeth, she also hath conceived a son in her old age, because no word shall be impossible with God.”[2]
Then Mary said: “Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it done to me according to thy word!”[3] The angel, having thus delivered his message, and having obtained the consent of Mary, departed from her[4].
Joseph knew not yet that Mary was the chosen Mother of the Saviour, but an angel of the Lord appeared to him also in his sleep, and said: “Joseph, son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary, thy wife, for That which is conceived in her, is of the Holy Ghost. And thou shalt call His name Jesus[5], for He shall save His people from their sins.”
COMMENTARY.
The Incarnation of the Son of God (the third article of the Creed). The Son of God, who is also called “the Word”, became incarnate, i. e. flesh or man by the power of the Holy Ghost, being “conceived of the Holy Ghost”, i. e. having no human father — St. Joseph being only his foster-father or legal father [in the eyes of the law] — , and “born of Mary the most pure Virgin”. St. John (i, 18) says: “The Word was made flesh and dwelt among us.” When the Son of God became man, He did not cease to be God, for that would have been quite impossible, but He assumed the human nature unto His Divine
- ↑ And therefore . Because by the overshadowing the Son of God descends into the virgin’s womb, therefore he, who is born of her, is the true Son of God, and must be called the Son of God as well as the Son of Mary.
- ↑ Impossible with God. In order to strengthen Mary’s faith in the great mystery which he had just revealed to her, the angel announced to her that her cousin Elizabeth was likewise miraculously bearing a son in her old age. Therefore all things are possible with God.
- ↑ According to thy word. Mary believed and, full of faithful obedience, said: “God is the Lord. I am His handmaid and will do His will in all things. If it is, therefore, God’s will that I should have a son, I submit myself to His will. Be it done unto me according to thy word, that I shall have a son by the operation of the Holy Ghost!” By these words Mary gave her consent to be the Mother of the Redeemer.
- ↑ Departed from her. He disappeared, full of joy, for he had received an answer well-pleasing to God.
- ↑ Jesus. The name of Jesus was to be given to the Child, because He was, in truth, the Saviour and Redeemer. Joseph obeyed the divine command, and full of reverence took to himself the pure Virgin who was chosen to be the Mother of the Redeemer.
