What we believe to be true

What we believe to be true about the Christmas story; it was planned way before it actually took place and the players were chosen to complete it.
The next person we are introduced to is Mary.
She was a key player in the story and a wonderful example of simple obedience.
In the New Testament book of Luke;
[26 In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee
27 to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David.
The virgins name was Mary.
28 The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.”
29 Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be.
30 But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, for you have found favor with God.
31 You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus.
32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High.
The Lord will give him the throne of his father David.
33 and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.
34 “How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?”
35 The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will over shadow you. So the Holy one to be born will be called the Son of God.
36 Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be unable to conceive is in her sixth month.
37 For no word from God will ever fail.”
38 “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Then the angel left her.]
After reading all of this, what we believe to be true.
Mary was a virgin and had not been with a man before. She was chosen and set aside by God who knew the condition of her heart.
Her simple question was not much different than Zechariah’s. “How can this be?”
She was told HOW and he was told to be silent. The answer to Mary was; “even Elizabeth your aging relative is having a baby too.”
I believe that news was making the miraculous more powerful for Mary because she knew Elizabeth’s age.
The preparation of hearts and obedience took place.
Mary had to have many questions. She was very young and she was told she was highly favored by God?
It would be a life altering and changing moment for her.
What we believe to be true: Mary was chosen and because of that choice her life was forever altered.
In a very intense way she was changed forever.
Let us continue to move through the Christmas story.