Have you ever felt like your life was perfectly ordinary—nothing flashy, nothing dramatic—yet sensed that God might be writing something bigger behind the scenes? The Christmas story reminds us that God often chooses the most unexpected people for the most extraordinary purposes. And no example shines brighter than Mary, a young woman whose quiet life was interrupted by a divine invitation that would change history. This remarkable moment not only shaped the first Christmas—it also speaks directly to us today.

A Common Girl With an Uncommon Calling

She was just a common girl. Not wealthy, not impoverished—simply part of the everyday crowd. Life was steady: she was engaged, preparing for her wedding, and looking ahead to a predictable future. Mary had no idea how dramatically her life was about to change.

Gabriel’s Visit

Luke records the angel Gabriel appearing to Mary with a message that would shake her world. Luke 1:28 says, “The angel went to her and said, ‘Greetings, you who are highly favored. The Lord is with you.’”

Gabriel assured Mary that his message was one of good news. She would become the mother of Jesus, the long-awaited Savior, because nothing is impossible with God. Mary may have been ordinary, but she was invited into an extraordinary role within God’s redemptive plan.

She asked about the virgin birth, but Scripture leaves room for us to wonder what else may have raced through her mind—Joseph’s reaction, the whispers of neighbors, the weight of responsibility. This was a lot for anyone to process.

Mary’s Response

Despite the questions and the unknowns, Mary listened closely to the angel’s words. Her response in Luke 1:38 reveals her heart:
“I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.”

Mary knew obedience wouldn’t always be easy. And indeed, it wasn’t. Joseph initially planned to quietly divorce her until God intervened. After Jesus’ birth, the family fled to Egypt because of Herod’s threats. Being Jesus’ mother came with fear, danger, and sacrifice—but God was with her through it all.

Discovering Our Purpose

Your purpose may never place you on a world-changing stage, but that doesn’t make it any less meaningful in God’s plan. Like Mary, we will experience challenges, uncertainty, and moments when the path forward feels unclear. But God’s grace rests on us as surely as it rested on her. The Lord is with us—are we choosing to walk with Him?

Ask God to reveal your purpose and to give you the courage to pursue it. And when He speaks, try responding with Mary’s surrendered posture:
“I am the Lord’s servant. May His word be fulfilled.”

Thanks for reading. Tomorrow, we’ll explore the story of Christmas’s unsung hero.