“In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.” Luke 1:26-28
“Sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy” meant six months after John the Baptist was conceived.
“Nazareth”, a little village in Galilee, a region north of Jerusalem, is never mentioned in the Old Testament. Jesus’ hometown is obscure and insignificant. Hardly the place from which to expect the Messiah.
“A virgin pledged to be married” was a Jewish betrothal that was binding in ways that modern engagements are not. Betrothal usually preceded marriage by at least nine months to assure that the bride was not pregnant. The young man would give the bride’s family a gift, and the fathers of the families would sign a marriage document. The Law called for a betrothed woman to be stoned if she was guilty of adultery.
In the sixth month means six months after John the Baptist was conceived.
“You who are highly favored” indicates that Mary, like all other people, was a blessed recipient of God’s grace, not a bestower of it. She had a special role, just as John the Baptist had a special role, and just as you and I have a special role today. She was simply a highly favored one.
God’s blessings on your day…