We have a tradition in our house that started before our boys were old enough to read. Before we open gifts, we read the Christmas story from Luke’s Gospel. The first couple of years they tolerated reading the story because PRESENTS WERE WAITING! But now, they are the ones who get the reading started. It’s been fun to watch this progression, and it really sets the tone for the evening.

When I hear this part of the story from Luke, I sometimes sit and wonder what it must have been like. The closest I can imagine would be the Publishers Clearinghouse showing up at my front door, but that doesn’t even hold a candle to being visited by an angel to be told that you will bear a son and he will sit above all these great men of God. And, to be told that without ever having been with a man that she was going to bear a child — that must have just rocked Mary’s world. She must have sat back and asked herself, “What just happened?” It kind of makes me wary to ask the simple statement, “So, anything interesting happen to you today honey?”

But Mary was chosen with the knowledge that she would be a faithful servant. God knew she was strong enough to handle the ridicule and gossip that must have circulated around town about her. It is a beautiful story and one I never get tired of hearing. I can’t wait to hear my son read the story again in a couple weeks.