The entire point of God's answer to Mary's question is to explain to her just how said conception would take place. Had she already known then the explaination becomes vain and superfluous.
Also, it makes absolutely no sense for Mary to point out her state of virginity if she already understood God's plan to circumvent it.
Perhaps now is a good time to remind ourselves that being familiar with a prophecy does not guarantee an actual understanding of same prophecy. Just take a look at all the competing theories regarding The Second Coming. Nuff said!
I would also suggest that you are forgetting Joseph in this whole argument. For Joseph to have married someone who was already impregnated would have been a terrible thing to do for a good Jewish man.
It definitely doesn't qualify as "Plan A". ;)
Mary's submission to God's calling is what's make this such a beautiful event for she was willing to go through not only the social stigma but possibly being stoned to death according to custom.
Agreed.
Joseph's submission is what is often overlooked because he believed God.
It's not overlooked in the Orthodox Church, I assure you.
Though he was engaged and should have properly given Mary a certificate of divorce, was obedient to the Lord and carried through on his commitment.
It's worth noting here that God saw fit to send an angel to Joseph to explain the situation for what it was [Matt. 2:20-23]. Somehow, I don't think "miraculous conception" was the conclusion Joseph was jumping to.
I'm glad that others responded regarding Joseph's role. He is most certainly *not* overlooked in the Orthodox Church, although he is certainly a peripheral figure compared to his more central role in Catholicism.
If I have time, I'll try to look up and quote some hymnology that speaks to the incredible faith and devoutness of Joseph the Betrothed (as he is titled in the Orthodox Church.)
I'm not sure, Harley, exactly what form you thought our overlooking of Joseph was taking. What we have been discussing is the exchange between the Theotokos and the archangel, and the explanation for why she responded as she did. At that point, the need for faith on Joseph's part hadn't yet entered the picture.