In the town of Nazareth lived a young woman named Mary. She was promised in marriage to Joseph, a descendant of King David. Mary was not rich or powerful. Yet God saw her and chose her for a wonderful purpose.
One day, God sent the angel Gabriel to her. Gabriel greeted Mary, saying, “Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with you.”
Mary was startled and troubled. What could such a greeting mean?
“Don’t be afraid, Mary,” Gabriel told her. “You have found favor with God. You will have a son, and you shall call him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. His kingdom will never end.”
Mary listened in wonder. Then she asked, “How can this be?”
Gabriel explained that the Holy Spirit would come upon her and God’s power would overshadow her. Her child would be holy and would be called the Son of God. Gabriel also gave Mary surprising news. Her relative Elizabeth, though old, was expecting a child too.
“Nothing is impossible with God,” Gabriel said.
Mary still did not know everything that lay ahead. But she trusted God. “Behold, the handmaid of the Lord,” she answered. “Be it to me according to your word.”
Then Gabriel departed.
Soon afterward, Mary set out in haste for the hill country of Judea. She went to the home of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth.
As soon as Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby inside her leaped. Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. She cried out with joy, blessing Mary and the child Mary would bear.
“Why am I so favored that the mother of my Lord should come to me?” Elizabeth said. She told Mary that her baby had leaped for joy. Then she called Mary blessed because Mary had believed God’s promise.
Joy rose in Mary’s heart, and she began to praise God.
“My soul magnifies the Lord,” she said, “and my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior.”
Mary sang of the great things God had done for her. She praised the holy God who shows mercy from generation to generation. God scatters the proud and brings rulers down from their thrones. He lifts up the humble. He fills the hungry with good things and remembers his promises to his people.
Mary’s yes was quiet, brave, and full of trust. She had asked an honest question, and then she placed herself in God’s hands. She stayed with Elizabeth for about three months before returning home. God’s promised Son was coming, just as the angel had said.
What kids learn
- God sees humble, ordinary people and invites them into his wonderful work.
- Faith can include honest questions as well as courageous trust.
- God remembers his promises and cares for those who are humble and hungry.
Memory verse
“Behold, the handmaid of the Lord; be it to me according to your word.”
Luke 1:38
Talk about it together
- Why do you think Mary felt troubled when Gabriel first greeted her?
- What helped Mary trust God even though she still had questions?
- What does Mary’s song teach us about the people God helps and lifts up?
- When might saying yes to something good require courage from you?
People and places in this story
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