Zebina had just pulled up some onions from her garden when she saw Mary coming down the path. She stood up and waved. Why would Mary be coming this time of the morning? Zebina wondered.

Mary’s face looked pale and drawn. She said, “Zebina, could we go over and sit by the tree?”

As they settled in, Mary fitgeted this way and that. She took deep breaths and puffed out breathy sighs.

“What is it, Mary? What’s going on?”

“Oh, Zebina, it’s amazing and wonderful, but it’s scarry and full of problems.”

Zebina reached out and held Mary’s hands. “Mary, take another deep breath and start at the beginning.”

“I was alone in the house when I realized someone else had entered the room, someone dressed in white, almost a dazzling white. My heart nearly throbbed out of my chest. The being said, ‘Greetings, you who are highly favored. The Lord is with you.’ I couldn’t understand what was going on. It felt like a dream. I guess he could see how troubled I felt. He said, ‘Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God.’ ”

Mary bent over with her forehead in her hand as she took another deep breath. Zebina squeezed her other hand.

Mary straightened up and continued. “He told me that I will be with child and will give birth to a son and I’m to name him Jesus. Then this being said, ‘The child will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High.’ He said “The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end.”

“Was he describing the Promised One who we were talking about just a few days ago?”

“Yes, I think so.”

“But you have not married Joseph yet.”

“Yes, that was what I asked. I said, ‘How will this be since I am a virgin?’ The angel told me, ‘The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God.’ ”

Zebina’s breath caught. She crossed her hands over her chest. “Oh, Mary, my friend, the one who dips water with me at the well, this means you will be the mother of the Messiah. You have been chosen!”

They sat quietly for a moment, staring at the ground, trying to take in this amazing news. “Have you told your parents?” Zebina asked.

Mary’s demenor changed. “No, I haven’t.”

After another silent moment. Zebina asked, “And Joseph?”

Mary’s expression saddened. She shook her head no. “That’s why I said this was amazing and wonderful but scarry and full of problems.” After another moment, Mary’s face brightened. “The angel also told me news I did not know about concerning my Aunt Elizabeth. She is in her old age, but the Lord has blessed her as well. She is in her sixth month of bearing a child. The angel reminded me that ‘nothing is impossible with God.’ ”

~ Joyce ~