Mary looks up from swaddling her baby, only to see dirty, wide-eyed shepherds looking at her. When God chose to send a group of people to witness his new Son, He did not send royalty; he sent those who were not able to sleep within the town at night - the outcasts, the dirty, the shepherds.

For years Elizabeth had wished for a child of her own. As she grew older, the chances of that happening vanished before her eyes. But then hope of all hope, her husband sees an angel, and she becomes pregnant. Then her much younger and also pregnant cousin Mary comes and visits her.  Elizabeth could have said something nasty about Mary getting pregnant so young, but, with the jump of her spirit-filled womb, Elizabeth gives nothing but encouragement.

All of a sudden, a messenger of the Lord comes to Mary saying she is highly favored. At first she is agitated at the experience, just like her older cousin Zechariah was. However, when Zechariah’s experience with the angel ended, he was left in forced speechlessness, but Mary leaves with her voice. What was the difference? Perhaps it was one simple mindful stance, “I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.”

He has worked his whole life for this one moment. He will be doing the sacrifice and will be blessing the people! However, when God shows up, Zachariah is left speechless, literally. Perhaps God is doing something different that no one expected.