“Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.” - Matthew 1:20When Mary first told Joseph she was expecting a child, he must have felt his whole world collapse. They were engaged to be married, and by all appearances, it looked like she had betrayed him. The story she told him sounded impossible. Yet before he could...  Read More

“I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” - Luke 1:38When the angel finished speaking to Mary, the message must have left her breathless. She had just been told that she would give birth to the Son of God, even though she was not yet married. Every part of her life was about to change.In that moment, she could have said no. She could have asked for more proof, m...  Read More

“How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?” - Luke 1:34When the angel told Mary that she would give birth to the Son of God, her response revealed something powerful about her faith. She didn’t say, “How can this be?” She said, “How will this be?” There’s a difference. “How can this be?” questions whether God is able. “How will this be?” trusts that He already is. Mary believe...  Read More

“But the angel said to her, ‘Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God.’” - Luke 1:30When the angel Gabriel appeared to Mary, he greeted her with incredible words. He said she was favored by God. Imagine hearing that. To be told that the Creator of the universe sees you, chooses you, and calls you blessed. But what followed that announcement did not look like favor. Mary would soon fac...  Read More

“Can anything good come from Nazareth?” - John 1:46When God sent the angel Gabriel to deliver the news that the Savior of the world was coming, He didn’t choose a palace, a capital city, or a famous leader. He chose a small town called Nazareth. It was the kind of place people ignored or made fun of. In fact, one man in Scripture later asked, “Can anything good come from Nazareth?” That was the re...  Read More

“Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be.” - Luke 1:29Long before the first Christmas morning, God sent an angel named Gabriel to a young woman in a small town called Nazareth. Her name was Mary. She was engaged to be married, living an ordinary life, and had no idea that she was about to receive a message that would change history. When Gabriel appe...  Read More