The angel Gabriel is shown as he appears to Mary, the teen aged daughter of Anne and Joachim, while she is at home in Nazareth. God’s messenger brings amazing news: she will be the Mother of Jesus.

    Reflect on the moment: A cool March day has begun in the little town of Nazareth and Mary prepares to spend it as she has spent countless others - quietly working about the house. Viewing herself as an ordinary girl, not unlike the rest of the villagers, and already promised to Joseph...we can appreciate her surprise in discovering an angel at her side! “Hail, full of grace” he announces, “blessed is the fruit of thy womb.” What profound trust is expressed in her response “...fiat; Thy will be done.”

    Witnessing Mary’s depth of faith, let us consider our own...

Mary is shown telling the good news to her cousin Elizabeth, who is herself to be the mother of John the Baptist.

One of the most endearing moments captured in the New Testament is that of the Visitation. Imagine the excitement of two expectant mothers sharing their joy of approaching parenthood and perhaps making plans of how their children will play together.
Mary and Elizabeth experienced a joyful human anticipation in their pregnancies as well as an acute appreciation of divine intervention. “Who am I, that the mother of my God should visit me?” questions Elizabeth. “ I am the handmaid of the Lord, who has done great things to me” replies her young cousin.
What a marvelous moment in the story of our salvation.

Mary and the infant Jesus are shown with Joseph and the shepherds in the background. Above them all is the star that is to lead the Magi to visit Jesus.

   The hilly, hundred-mile journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem was always tiring and often dangerous; and Mary was close to childbirth when she made it. Bethlehem, King David’s town, was host to all of David’s descendants. The courtyard inn was prosperously overcrowded, with no room for the expectant couple. The best that Joseph could do for her was a dark, damp, secluded cave. No drama marked the moment; rather, a humble setting surrounding two travelers, cold, tired, and at peace. In this place and time, Jesus was born.

In this scene, Mary and Joseph have taken Jesus “to present him to the Lord” in the Temple. There, Simeon and Anna recognize their God.

Mary and Joseph must have been amazed and frightened when Simeon, who had been inspired by the Holy Spirit, told them of the importance of Jesus, a little baby, to the future of Israel. Simeon was clearly filled with joy and relief as he realized that he held in his hands “the salvation …for all nations to see.” Speaking to Mary, he went on to say, “This child is destined to be the downfall and the rise of many in Israel, a sign that will be opposed—and you yourself shall be pierced with a sword—so that the thoughts of many hearts may be laid bare."

After an agonizing three-days search, Mary and Joseph discover their twelve-year old Son in the Temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, going “about His Father’s business.”

    Experience the stresses of having lost your child for several hours --- then extend that anxiety over three days! Mary and Joseph undoubtedly were frantic in their search for their young Son.
Upon finding him, they may well have felt a combination of relief and exhaustion. Being a parent is not always easy – even when your Child is the Christ.