Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin's name was Mary. And having come in, the angel said to her, "Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women!" But when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and considered what manner of greeting this was. Then the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name JESUS. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give 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." Then Mary said to the angel, "How can this be, since I do not know a man?" And the angel answered and said to her, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God. Now indeed, Elizabeth your relative has also conceived a son in her old age; and this is now the sixth month for her who was called barren. For with God nothing will be impossible." Then Mary said, "Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word." And the angel departed from her. - Luke 1:26-38.

Whenever I read the Biblical account of the events of Christmas, I am amazed at the faith of those involved. How could a teenage girl of limited material means, limited education, limited family background, and etc. become the mother of our Lord? The answer? Through the power of the Holy Spirit and Mary’s complete submission to the will of God it was brought about.

How would my life and how would your life be changed if each day we submitted ourselves completely to the Lord for His will to be done in our lives? This Christmas and in the coming year let us say each day with Mary “Behold the maidservant (or manservant) of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word.”

May you have a most blessed Christmas and New Year!!

Praying for you,

Ed Wrather