The Annunciation, Henry O. Tanner

Today we read in the gospel the account of the angel Gabriel's visit to Mary, announcing to her that she is to be the mother of God-made-man. I was struck this morning by the contrasts - the grandeur and the plain-ness; the majesty and the humility. God does the incomprehensible using the ordinary things - and people - of this world. Maybe this is why we so often miss His presence and His action in our lives - we're looking for something big, something fantastic, something way out of the ordinary, something spectacular - when, in fact, He chooses to work through the simpleness of our everyday lives. And by doing that, He transforms those routine, mundane things into things that are holy, exalted - worthy of Him......

So when we smile at a stranger today or say, 'Merry Christmas' to a store clerk, or bring coffee to our spouse, let us know that these simple things are the very work of heaven.

And as Gabriel awaited Mary's 'yes' to God, let us know that all heaven awaits our 'yes' to Him, too.