In Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, Ebenezer Scrooge vowed “I will honour Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year.” I am going to keep Christmas all the year by remembering my Savior and studying His life each week. Scrooge isn’t the only one who can make a change for the better. I can and you can. Elder Richard G. Scott promised, “The best way to make a permanent change for good is to make Jesus Christ your model and His teachings your guide for life” (“He Lives! All Glory to His Name!”). Please join me and invite your family and friends to join us in keeping Christmas all the year.
And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary.
And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women.
And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be.
And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God.
And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS.
He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.
Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?
And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.
And, behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren.
For with God nothing shall be impossible.
And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her. (Luke 1:26-38.)
- Mary had found favor with God (Luke 1:28, 30). What does it mean to find favor with God? To what other sources do some people look for favor?
- Mary was humble and submissive to the will of the Lord (Luke 1:38). Why is it important for us to submit to the Lord’s will? How can we become more humble and submissive?
- How does Mary’s example help you see the Savior’s greatness and increase your faith in him?
- How does Mary’s example increase your vision of who you are and how much the Lord favors you?
- How does Mary’s example give you confidence to do the great, seemingly impossible, things God has asked you to do?
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