God sent His angel to a young, unmarried woman named Mary. The angel told Mary she would be blessed to be the mother of the world’s savior. Think about Mary’s astonishment as she reflected on the angel’s message to her: “You are favored by God, and He has chosen you to be the mother of Jesus.” When Mary asked how this could be since she was a virgin, the angel answered, “The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.” Luke 1:35 King James Version.

     Mary’s acceptance of God’s plan for her life shows her humble spirit. Her knowledge, which was expressed in her praises of God, clearly illustrates that from childhood she had been taught the holy scriptures. God knew the quality of Mary’s heart. Jesus would come to save men and women from their sins. That was a wonderful thought for the young woman who waited for her baby son’s birth.

     Mary was pledged to marry Joseph, but before their wedding he learned of her pregnancy. The Bible states: “But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, ‘Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.’”

     At the time of Jesus’ birth, His parents were in Bethlehem for a brief time to enroll in a required census. Since there was no room at the inn, Jesus’ parents spent the night outside in the fields near the flocks of livestock. That is where Jesus was born. We recall the account of Mary placing the newborn baby in a manger. That night, shepherds listened in awe as angels praised God and welcomed Jesus’ birth. They told the shepherds they would find the wonderful baby in Bethlehem. He would be wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger. Mary watched and listened as the local shepherds came and told of God’s message which the angels had delivered.

     King Herod, who lived nearby, heard of Jesus’ birth. Since he was told that Jesus was the king of the Jews, he was jealous of the baby. He considered himself the Jews’ king. Therefore, he commanded the death of all Jewish infant boys. God protected Jesus by warning his father Joseph to flee to Egypt for safety. Later, God called the family, and they returned to their home in Nazareth.

     When Jesus was twelve, He went to the temple with His parents. While He was there, He became engrossed in discussions with teachers in the temple and failed to leave Jerusalem when His parents departed. After a day’s journey, Joseph and Mary realized Jesus was not in their large group of travelers. They returned to Jerusalem and after three days, they found Him in the temple where He was listening to teachers of the scriptures. Jesus reminded His parents that He must be about His father’s business. The scriptures say that Mary kept all these sayings in her heart. Jesus went to Nazareth with His parents and grew as an obedient son to manhood.