The Angel Gabriel Visits Mary

In the town of Nazareth lived a young woman named Mary, engaged to be married to a carpenter named Joseph. She was faithful, humble, and pure of heart. Then the angel Gabriel appeared to her with a greeting that would change everything: "Rejoice, highly favored one! The Lord is with you."

Mary was startled and wondered what this greeting could mean. Gabriel said, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. You will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest." Mary asked how this could happen, since she was a virgin. Gabriel explained that the Holy Spirit would come upon her and the power of God would overshadow her.

Mary's response is one of the most beautiful in all Scripture: "I am the Lord's servant. Let it be done to me according to your word." With complete faith and humility, she said yes to God — accepting a calling she could not fully understand, that would bring her both joy and sorrow. The Coptic Church calls Mary Theotokos — God-bearer — and honors her above all the saints. Her "yes" to God made the salvation of the world possible.