BROADCASTS.com

b'Mary paused her vigorous kneading of the bread dough, her thoughts whirling. She was pledged to be married to Joseph. He was a good man who had shown her only kindness, but lately her life moved faster than the river\\u2019s currents after a spring rain.\\nSuddenly, there was a being standing before her. Mary trembled and clutched the edge of the table for support. Then the being spoke. \\xe2\\u20ac\\u0153Greetings\\u2026the Lord is with you.\\xe2\\u20ac\\x9d The angel\\u2019s words were like a shaft of sunshine. \\xe2\\u20ac\\u0153Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God.\\xe2\\u20ac\\x9d\\nThe angel Gabriel proceeded to tell her that the God she loved and served was sending His Son into the world\\u2014the very Savior they had all been longing for. Mary herself would be the one to carry the Son of the Most High in her womb. Mary took a deep breath and whispered, \\xe2\\u20ac\\u0153How? I am a virgin.\\xe2\\u20ac\\x9d Gabriel didn\\u2019t hesitate to reply, and Mary felt emboldened as he answered, \\xe2\\u20ac\\u0153The Holy Spirit will come on you\\u2026no word from God will ever fail.\\xe2\\u20ac\\x9d\\nMary could not even begin to grasp how this would change her life, let alone the entire world. But somewhere deep in her heart, she knew she didn\\u2019t need to understand it all, she just needed to be willing. \\xe2\\u20ac\\u0153I am the Lord\\u2019s servant,\\xe2\\u20ac\\x9d Mary said aloud. \\xe2\\u20ac\\u0153May it be so.\\xe2\\u20ac\\x9d\\nDays later, Joseph wrestled with sorrow and anger in his heart. He\\u2019d thought Mary was the one for him\\u2014how could he have been so blind to her true nature? Love. He did love her, and if she was exposed for sexual sin, she could be stoned. Joseph couldn\\u2019t bear the thought of Mary being hurt, so he decided to divorce her quietly.\\nThat night, an angel invaded Joseph\\u2019s dreams with an astounding proclamation: the child inside Mary was conceived by the Holy Spirit! This child, Jesus, would save the people from their sins. Joseph awoke in a cold sweat. He didn\\u2019t have all the answers, and he wasn\\u2019t even sure how this would impact his life, but his love for God compelled him to be willing. He did what the angel told him to do and accepted Mary as his wife. \\u2022 Savannah Coleman\\n\\u2022 Today\\u2019s story is how one author imagines God helping Mary and Joseph to do what He called them to do. Can you imagine how you would feel if you were in Mary\\u2019s or Joseph\\u2019s place? \\n\\u2022 Why do you think Mary and Joseph were willing to follow God, even in a messy situation?\\n\\xe2\\u20ac\\u0153I am the Lord\\u2019s servant,\\xe2\\u20ac\\x9d Mary answered. \\xe2\\u20ac\\u0153May your word to me be fulfilled.\\xe2\\u20ac\\x9d Then the angel left her. Luke 1:38 (NIV)\\n\\xa0\\nRead Verses:\\nLuke.2.8-Luke.2.18|Matt.27.27-Matt.27.54|Matt.28.1-Matt.28.8'