An angel appeared to Mary and said, "Hail, O favored one, the Lord is with you!" (Luke 1:28). Again the angel said, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God" (Luke 1:30). Chosen to give birth to God’s only begotten Son is no small thing. A human vessel to house the embryonic Messiah, conceived by the Holy Spirit, was a privilege of unmatched magnitude. And in our Christmas manger scenes with softly glowing lights, neatly arranged animals and shepherds, everything seems too cozy and comfortable. Mary had certainly received a favored niche in history.

But wait a minute! Let’s take a good hard look at the life of Mary who was called a favored one. Mary was pregnant by the Holy Spirit. Now that would be a tough one to explain to anybody. Imagine the gossip that the gals of Naz…