I imagine Mary cheerfully going about what might have started as an ordinary day—except this was no ordinary day. As her day progressed, something extraordinary happened that would change the trajectory of her life forever.

An angel of the Lord appeared to her—in flesh and blood. This wasn’t a dream, a trance, or a hallucination. It was real.

“Am I dreaming?” she wondered, startled. The sight before her was both awe-inspiring and terrifying. What could be the purpose of this divine “December” visit?

Even more startling were the angel’s words. He began by hailing her—a moment akin to what Nigerians would call a “wash” situation, where the flattery feels surreal. But this was no flattery. Sensing her alarm, the angel reassured her, “Do not be afraid. God is very pleased with you.”

The angel continued with a message that would shake Mary’s world: “You are going to conceive and give birth to a baby boy. You will call his name Jesus. This child will not be ordinary—He will be great, the Son of the Most High. He will become a king like His ancestor David, but unlike David, His reign will last forever. His kingdom will never end.”

I can only imagine the million thoughts racing through Mary’s mind as she processed the angel’s words. At the time, people didn’t have the direct access to the Holy Spirit that we do today. God often spoke through priests, prophets, or other intermediaries. But in moments of immense importance, He sent angels directly. Clearly, this was one of those moments.

The implications of the angel’s visit were overwhelming. But more than anything else, Mary wondered: How will this happen? She knew it was biologically impossible, given her circumstances. There had never been a precedent for such an event in history.

What’s remarkable is that Mary never seemed to dwell on what others would think about her sudden pregnancy—especially given her abstinence from birth. She didn’t question how Joseph, her betrothed, would receive the news or how she could even explain such a divine assignment to him. Would he believe her? Would anyone?

The angel concluded with a powerful statement: “Nothing is impossible with God.”

Mary responded with unparalleled faith: “I am the servant of the Lord. Let it happen as you have said.”

This moment always inspires me. Mary’s faithfulness and willingness to submit to God, even without fully understanding how His plan would unfold, are awe-inspiring. In an instant, she accepted a life-altering call—one that required tremendous sacrifice.

Mary willingly laid aside her own goals, desires, and everything she held dear. She was prepared to risk her reputation, relationships, and future. Even if it meant losing Joseph, the man she loved, she resolved to obey God’s will. It is no wonder God chose her for such a monumental task.

When choosing a spouse, men often carefully consider a woman’s character, knowing she will not only be their partner but the mother of their children. Similarly, God was intentional about the family into which His Son would be born. He chose Mary because of her unwavering faith, humility, and strength.

Many of us hear the Christmas story repeatedly every season. It’s easy to become so accustomed to it that we miss the profound details of this historic event. But Mary’s story is a reminder of faith, submission, and sacrifice. Her life is an enduring testament to trusting God even when the road ahead seems unclear.

As we celebrate this Christmas season, take a moment to reflect on Mary’s story of faith, submission, and courage. Ask yourself: What is God calling me to do in my own life?

Perhaps He’s asking you to step into the unknown, to trust Him with a difficult decision, or to surrender your own plans for something greater. Like Mary, we may not always understand the full picture, but we can trust that God’s plans are always good.

Categories: My Christian Beliefs, My Devotionals

Tags: Christian, Devotional, Faith, reflection, Trust