This is the first part of an eight-part series, telling the story of Jesus' birth. I'll be posting each part once a day, ending the day after Christmas. Enjoy!
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Nothing is kept secret in a small town. Especially something as important as a betrothal. That is exactly what had occurred. Young Mary, a girl of about fourteen years of age, was betrothed to Joseph, a carpenter in Nazareth, of the line of King David. It was exciting news, and everyone wanted to contribute to the young couple-to-be.
After politely accepting the umpteenth offer of help for the big event, Mary retreated to her bedroom. She closed the door and sighed with relief. Even if she was prepared for becoming a wife, nothing could prepare her for that. Mary sat down on her bed and searched around for her sewing. She suddenly realized she was not alone.
Looking up, Mary saw a man standing nearby. She jumped in surprise, dropping her sewing basket in alarm. The man looked as calm as could be, but perhaps a bit amused, too.
“Greetings, O favored one,” he spoke gently. Mary stared at him. “The Lord is with you!” Mary continued to stare. She began to wonder what was going on. No one ever greeted her like that. Especially other men. “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.” Mary lifted an eyebrow. This was getting a bit odd. However, the man was not finished. “And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus.” Mary’s eyes widened in shock.
“He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High,” the strange man continued. “And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever. And of his kingdom there will be no end.” Mary stood slowly, trying to carefully and calmly process what had been told to her. But in the end, Mary blurted out:
“How will this be, since I am a virgin?” Mary instantly realized that this man was an angel. She regretted saying anything at all.
“The Holy Spirit will come upon you,” Gabriel replied, “and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy¾the Son of God.” Mary opened her mouth to speak, but the angel held up his hand. “And behold, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son, and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren. For nothing will be impossible with God.”
Mary said nothing for some time, then, she looked at the angel and said softly, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” The angel nodded, then left. Mary blinked. He was gone. Mary slowly sat down.
She decided to leave off sewing for now.
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