What does the handmaid of the Lord mean?

Answer 1

This refers to Mary's willingness to serve almighty God by bearing Jesus Christ in her womb. She was indicating by this statement that she was willing to undergo this task, with the resulting consequences, as God's 'handmaid'. This was effectively as a personal servant to almighty God, and in so doing she thus became the mother of God, as in Jesus Christ, in His incarnation, but not of course in terms of His essential being since He existed before the world was created. She, as God's handmaid was not just indicating her personal humility, but also her position as a creature, subordinate to God.

Answer 2

The term "handmaid of the Lord" refers to a woman who serves or obeys God. It can be seen as a position of humility and devotion in Christian belief, embodying the idea of being a willing servant or vessel for God's purposes. The phrase is often associated with the biblical account of Mary, the mother of Jesus, who described herself as the "handmaid of the Lord" in the Gospel of Luke.