How will this thing be?

Luke 1:34 Then said Mary unto the angel, how shall this be, seeing I know not a man?

Can you imagine a young girl just having her regular day and then, an angel appears and says, “Congratulations!  You are going to be the mother of the Savior of the world,”?  The first thing that Gabriel said to Mary was “Fear not.”  The whole experience had to startle her.  Then, when Gabriel brings the message from God to her, he first called her, “Favored of God.” Because she was favored of God, she was selected for one of the biggest moments in human history, the privilege of carrying the Son of God in her womb for nine months.  

Mary asked Gabriel a normal question, “How is this going to happen? I have never been with a man.”  He told her that the Holy Ghost would come upon her, and she would conceive.  What is really important is that this was not going to happen unless Mary agreed to it.  She said to Gabriel, “Be it done unto me according to thy word.”  She had to agree, which gives usfurther understanding of the will that God gave mankind.  Adam and Eve willfully disobeyed God, but Mary, through her will,began to be a part of the redemption of man.  

One of the most interesting things to me is what Gabriel told her about her cousin Elizabeth.  Elizabeth, who was formerly barren,had conceived in her old age, and Gabriel referred to it.  Why?  I believe it was to give Mary further assurance that this was God.  Her cousin, Elizabeth, was pregnant; and Zacharias the priest, Elizabeth’s husband, was not able to talk.  People have different opinions about this, but I believe Mary knew about her cousin’s pregnancy.  They were family, so I am sure that Mary had heard all about this miracle that had taken place and now, the angel Gabriel makes mention of it.  I would think that gave her more assurance and gave this angel more credibility.  What had happened to Mary was such a big deal that she went to see Elizabeth and when she did, a Holy Ghost outpouring happened right in Elizabeth’s house.  Prophecy about Jesus came forth and further assurance must have come to Mary.  Isn’t it awesome the lengths God went to so Mary and Joseph would know that this really was the Son of God that she was carrying in her womb? Thank God that Mary yielded that day to the Holy Ghost.  What a plan God had to bring Jesus to the Earth so we could be bornagain.  What a Savior!  What a plan!  Merry Christmas!