Matthew 1:18-25  (NLT)

The Birth of Jesus the Messiah
18 This is how Jesus the Messiah was born. His mother, Mary, was engaged to be married to Joseph. But before the marriage took place, while she was still a virgin, she became pregnant through the power of the Holy Spirit. 19 Joseph, to whom she was engaged, was a righteous man and did not want to disgrace her publicly, so he decided to break the engagement quietly.

20 As he considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream. “Joseph, son of David,” the angel said, “do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife. For the child within her was conceived by the Holy Spirit. 21 And she will have a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.”

22 All of this occurred to fulfill the Lord’s message through his prophet:

23 “Look! The virgin will conceive a child!
She will give birth to a son,
and they will call him Immanuel,
which means ‘God is with us.’”

24 When Joseph woke up, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded and took Mary as his wife. 25 But he did not have sexual relations with her until her son was born. And Joseph named him Jesus.

Mary was an ordinary Hebrew girl. She blended in. She was part of the crowd. But God chose Mary to play an important role in His plan to bring blessing and salvation to the world.

Mary supernaturally carried God’s Son in her belly and brought Jesus into the world. God saw fit for His only Son to be born, nurtured, and taught by Mary and her husband, Joseph. No longer able to blend into the crowd, Mary was set apart by God Himself.

Why? What made Mary so special? She didn’t have wealth, nobility, or social standing. Any talents she may have possessed were unimpressive. While her earthly possessions were few, Mary did possess three valuable traits.

First, Mary’s heart was fully surrendered. Mary answered the angel Gabriel, “I am the Lord’s servant. May it be to me as you have said.” Though she had questions, she was open to God’s plan.

Second, Mary had faith. Mary shared the life-altering encounter with a close friend and relative, Elizabeth. Elizabeth recognized Mary’s faith, “Blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished!” (Luke 1:45).

Third, Mary was a worshiper. Luke 1:46-55 beautifully captures Mary’s heart as she points the focus and praise back to the One who saw her and knew her. God elevated Mary because she surrendered to Him and His plans for her life.

God uses the ordinary for His extraordinary plan. We can trust in Him.