[metmom]

What about "And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus." and "“The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy—the Son of God." sounds like asking permission? Where is the question? Where does the angel say that God was wondering if Mary would cooperate?

[agere_contra]

Still averting our gaze from Mary’s permission I see. Why is that?

God’s messenger was not in doubt. Because God was not in doubt.

God who sent Gabriel knew what Mary’s reaction would be. Because He is God.

But that doesn’t mean that Mary didn’t have a choice. Otherwise: why did she give her permission?