The gospel for today usually causes us to focus on Our Lady. The lowly virgin of Nazareth is asked by the archangel Gabriel if she will accede to bearing the Messiah. Another aspect, however, of the reading is the focus on David. Joseph is mentioned as being of the House of David (Lk 1: 27) and that Jesus will receive the "throne of his ancestor David." (Lk 1: 32). With the Davidic dynasty no longer on the throne of Israel at that time we need to look elsewhere for the significance of this reference. The Church helps us by giving us the First Reading from the Second Book of Samuel. David is promised that one of his descendants will establish an everlasting kingdom: "Your house and your kingdom shall be made sure forever before me; your throne, David, shall be established forever." (2 Sam 7: 16) Today's readings speak, therefore, of the fulfillment of God's promises to the Jewish people. The Incarnation is placed in time and space. Jesus is born into a society and culture which found its identity and ability to survive on the basis of God working through historical individuals so as to ultimately bring about a new, enduring and divine reality. In our baptism we are incorporated into the people who received these promises and rejoice to see them fulfilled as we celebrate the birth of the Messiah: "But when the fullness of time had come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, in order to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as children. And because you are children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, 'Abba! Father!' So you are no longer a slave but a child, and if a child then also an heir, through God." (Gal 4: 4-7)
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