Angel #2

Gabriel, God's warrior angel, visits a young teen, a Hebrew girl, telling her that she has been chosen by God to give birth to the long awaited Messiah. She doesn't offer excuses, but I am sure she was overwhelmed in the presence of this heavenly visitor. She agrees saying, "I am the Lord's servant."

What an honor! All young girls dreamed about the King, who would save Israel.

What a nightmare! Yes, it had to be both horrible and wonderful.

Wonderful to know that the Messiah was coming as promised. Wonderful to realize that God had chosen her.

Yet it was also the beginning of many horrible obstacles. Telling Joseph she was pregnant not by a man, but through the Holy Spirit. Telling her parents that she, their sweet and innocent daughter, was carrying a child that was not Joseph's. Dealing with the gossips in town who were sure to judge her & treat her as a sinful woman. Then, as the pregnancy became real with morning sickness, a growing belly, and the confusing emotions, she realizes the heavy responsibility of raising God's Son.

Mary leaves Nazareth for Judea to visit with her cousin, Elizabeth. As Mary arrives and calls out a traditional greeting, Elizabeth's baby "leaps for joy." Elizabeth not only knows that Mary's pregnant, she knows Mary's the chosen maiden to bear the Christ child. There had been no cell phone calls or telegrams, it was within her spirit that Elizabeth knew these things.

Elizabeth, in her old age, also cannot hide that she is in her sixth month, and Mary also rejoices in her blessing.

For three months they help each other through the symptoms of pregnancy; they talk excitedly about being mothers; they talk about Joseph and silent Zechariah; they sew baby clothes and prepare the rags for childbirth. They talk about their boys growing up to serve God. Little do they know what lies ahead...

Selah-

Shalom, Connie