It was the first of many roads I was to travel after the angel appeared to me. Before departing, the angel told me that my relative, Elizabeth, was going to have a child. I was shocked by this news because the sorrow of her life was that she was old and barren.

I needed to get away for a while to think and pray. As I walked toward Judea to visit Elizabeth my mind whirled. I now understood that I was to be the mother of the promised Messiah. Father spoke so much about the teachings of the religious leaders concerning the Messiah. All of the priests and scribes were waiting anxiously for the One that had been spoken of by the prophets of old. I didn’t understand, though, how a child could accomplish all the things expected of the Messiah.

I worried about telling my parents ... and Joseph - gen…