Lk. 1:30-31  And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favor with God. 31  And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. 

    Have you ever received a message that shocked you, caught you completely off guard.  Imagine how Mary felt as the angel spoke to her.  Her first shock was the appearance of the angel, then the message which the angel spoke to her about the child to whom she would give birth. Even though every young girl who had hopes for the coming of the Messiah wished she would be the chosen one, no doubt Mary was still surprised that she had been chosen. What was even more of a surprise was the fact that this child would not come to being through natural means but would be conceived by the Holy Spirit without human intervention. Mary was further concerned because being unmarried she might be cast out for being with child and unmarried.  She may have even thought of the Law of stoning for being with child and having no husband. Each of these things were genuine concerns for Mary but in the end she agreed with the angel and his message. May we be like Mary and trust God’s plan for our life even if we do not understand how or why.

Scripture:  Lk. 1:5-20  ;  Lk. 1:26-38  ;  Matt. 2:1-18