Mary Says Yes to God

In the town of Nazareth, in the hills of Galilee, lived a young woman named Mary. She was engaged to marry a good man named Joseph, who came from the family of King David.

One day God sent the angel Gabriel to Mary. Gabriel greeted her and told her that God was with her and had filled her with his grace. Mary didn't understand. Why would an angel speak to her like that?

Gabriel calmed her fears and explained. God had chosen her to be the mother of a little boy named Jesus. Her son would be the Son of God, and a king who would rule forever.

Mary asked how this could happen, because she was not yet married. Gabriel explained that God would do this himself, by the power of the Holy Spirit. Jesus would have no human father: God himself would be his Father. Then Gabriel shared more good news: Mary's relative Elizabeth, who was old and had never been able to have children, was going to have a baby too. God keeps every promise he makes.

Mary's answer was yes. She gave herself to God completely and trusted him to do what he had promised. Then the angel left.

Soon Mary hurried off to visit Elizabeth, who lived in the hill country of Judea. When Mary walked in and greeted her, the baby inside Elizabeth gave a happy kick. God's Holy Spirit filled Elizabeth, and she shouted with joy. She called Mary the mother of her Lord, said that God had blessed both Mary and her child, and told her how honored she felt by the visit. And she told Mary she was blessed for trusting what God had said.

Then Mary sang a song of praise. She sang about how God cares for people who are small and poor, how he keeps every promise, and how happy she was to be part of his plan.

Mary stayed with Elizabeth about three months, and then went home. Elizabeth's baby grew up to be John the Baptist.

Mary trusted God and said yes to his plan. We can say yes to God too.