My mind overflowed with memories.  There was day when I was first approached by the
Angel of the Lord.  “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.”

I didn’t understand.  How could this be?  I had never been with a man, but I was chosen by God to be the vessel for His son – the promised Messiah.  Still I was fearful of what my future husband, Joseph, would think of me. How would I explain such an unnatural pregnancy to my family? Why was I the one chosen to do this?

I struggled at first with these thoughts, but then realized that it had to be this way so that God could  take on human flesh, become just like us only without sin, and be the perfect sacrifice to take away the sin of the world.  I accepted God’s will and knew that everything would be all right.

The pieces were beginning to fall into place.  As Jesus taught from the Mount of Olives – the final resting place for so many of our people – the power of his words were taking hold of  many hearts.  His message healed hearts as well as bodies.

His love for everyone was apparent.  He didn’t discriminate against Jew or Gentile, the elderly or the young, the sick, the poor or the rich.  He healed many of their physical and emotional ailments. The love of God emanated from his voice.  It was God’s voice.  I now realized that the name Immanuel truly did mean, God with us.