Key Verse – Luke 1:31 “Now listen: You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus.”

One day you’re thinking you are going to get married and the next day you find out you’re having a baby. One that you did nothing to create, one you hadn’t planned on this early in your life, one perhaps for a moment you didn’t even want. This angel who is speaking to you, which in itself had to have been unreal, is telling you not only that you’re having a baby but that this baby is more than special  and will be called “Son of the Most High”, and “he would reign on the throne of David forever” (Luke 1:32-33 paraphrase). Talk about anticipation turned upside down! So many questions -What am I going to tell Joseph, my parents, my siblings, my community, etc… Yet in the moment, this young girl boiled it all down into “How can this be?” 

After the angel explains, Mary responds by saying “I am the Lord’s servant, may it be as you have said”. Talk about faith!

Think and journal about:

• Have you ever been given unexpected news that changed the course of your life? Maybe not as big as Marys, but a job change, divorce, financial strain, illness, etc..How did you respond? What questions did you or do you have? 
• Think about what God might be trying to teach you, tell you or prepare you for by changing your plans?
• Why do you think Mary responded the way she did? 

Deep dive scripture: Luke 1:31-38