"In the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee named Nazareth." (v. 26)

I am going to begin the Advent season this year by telling you a part of the Christmas story which is unknown to most people because it was left out of the modern Bible. Of course, ministers have known about this for many years, but we have kept it secret because we didn’t want to shake anyone’s faith. But in this age of full and complete disclosure, I have finally decided to break with my fellow clergy’s conspiracy of silence and tell you this neglected part of the Christmas story.

The truth which has been hidden from you until now is that not everyone was happy with God’s decision to send His Son into the world. Certainly, the angel Gabriel was happy he was chosen to give Mary the word,…