A method and device for generating message notifications at a mobile device is provided. A current operating context of the mobile device is determined. A first display representation for the received message in accordance with notification display settings associated with the determined current operating context is determined. Gesture information from a touch input component is determined and a second display representation comprising at least a portion of the received message and an action area for performing a direct action in response to the received message in response to the determined gesture information is generated.