The Angel Gabriel Visits Mary

In the little town of Nazareth lived a young woman named Mary. She loved God with her whole heart and was soon to be married to a kind carpenter named Joseph.

One quiet day, something astonishing happened. The angel Gabriel — one of God’s mightiest messengers — appeared right there in Mary’s room, shining with heavenly light.

“Greetings, Mary!” said Gabriel. “You are highly favored. The Lord is with you.”

Mary was startled and a little afraid. She had never seen an angel before, and she wondered what such a greeting could mean.

“Do not be afraid, Mary,” Gabriel said gently. “God is very pleased with you. You are going to have a baby boy, and you will name him Jesus. He will be great — the Son of the Most High — and his kingdom will never end.”

Mary was amazed. “How can this be?” she asked.

“The Holy Spirit will come upon you,” the angel explained. “Nothing is impossible with God.”

Mary took a deep breath. She didn’t fully understand, but she trusted God completely. And then she spoke the brave, faithful words that changed the world forever:

“I am the Lord’s servant. May it happen to me just as you have said.”

With that, Gabriel’s mission was complete, and he returned to heaven.

Mary’s “yes” is one of the most beautiful moments in the whole Bible. When God asked something enormous of her, she answered with trust instead of fear. We can ask God for that same kind of brave, trusting heart.