That’s what Gabriel said to Mary about the Son that the Holy Spirit would place in her womb.  According to commentator Albert Barnes, the word “great” means, “distinguished, illustrious, great in power, wisdom and dominion on earth and in Heaven.”  We use the word “great” like we use the word “awesome.”  We sing “How Great Thou Art,” and “Our God is an Awesome God,” and then talk about an awesome catch in a football game and a great hamburger.  I’m not sure what we can do about this since we have very few designated words for God’s transcendent glory.  Jesus is GREAT because He is the Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father and Prince of Peace.  He reigns over a kingdom that will never end.  He is the Judge of all the earth.  He is actually greater than most of us recognize.  I like what N.T. Wright wrote, if we really looked into the matter, “The Jesus we would discover is larger, more disturbing and more urgent than we had imagined.”  Yes, He’s that great.  Even though Mary had a lot of questions, she chose to participate in the Messiah’s birth.  She understood that God’s greatness left only one logical choice, “May it be unto me according to your word.”  That sounds a lot like what her Son would teach later on about how to pray, “Thy will be done.”  It’s the greatness and goodness of Jesus the Christ that calls us to worship filled obedience.  What are you waiting for?