Of all the people who are involved in the first Christmas Story, no one stands out more as a person of willing obedience more than a young Jewish girl named Mary.  Matthew records very little about this young girl who was probably a mere teen ager.  But Luke's Gospel sheds far more light on here life and her willingness to say yes.  Luke's account aboutMary begins this way.  "In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin's name was Mary. The angel of went to her and said, "Greetings you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you."   Mary merits our respect because although she was young she had found favor with God.  Her humble godly life pleased God to such an extent that He chose her for an incredible task. 

     I am not sure how you would respond when an angel speaks to you but in Mary's case the account says that at first she was troubled and wondered what kind of greeting this might be.  But the angel (Gabriel) said to her. "Do not be afraid, you have found favor with God.  There it is again that same phrase; you have found favor with God. God sees you and me from the perspective of our hearts towards Him.  The favor that Mary found was not doubt on the account that she had a heart that loved God and was willing to serve the Lord in whatever way was described. Although she was young, she was great with God.  The Word of God tells us that man looks on the outward appearance but God looks on the heart.  He sees our willingness that can overcome our weakness.  He says the heart that will make room for Him and the life that will make room for His ways even when they come at a high price. 

     Mary asks the obvious question of Gabriel "How can this be, since I am a virgin?"  How can this be she is asking herself, in what way can the natural course of life be altered. How can I become a mother when I have not been with any man? This where the gift of our willingness becomes such a powerful gift that we give to God. Notice the reply that is given to her question. "For nothing is impossible with God!"   There is the truth that even when we are weak and feeble and not able to accomplish anything in our own life we can see the miraculous as God takes each part of our willingness and adds His supernatural power over it." 

     Mary grabs hold of that deep truth and says, "May it be to be as you have said." And then Luke records the angel left her.  Mary did not have to say yes; even though she was highly favored with God she could have said no to Gabriel and no to God's plan for her life. But she said yes!  Her yes would not be an easy one.  She would suffer scorn from friends and family who would not understand her choice, she would suffer pain throughout her life as the Son that she would bring to the world would be mocked and persecuted, condemned and crucified. I wonder how many times she looked back on her decision to be willingly obedient and said God you were leading and I would say yes again.  God chose Mary not because of her great abilities on the outside although they must have been considerable, He chose her because she was willing to give a gift to God.  We all like receiving gifts, but often times the best experiences are found when we give ourselves and say yes to Jesus.  In our Christmas Gift Countdown have you offered your willingness and your obedience as a gift to the New Born King?