How do we respond to the Lord’s message to us? Sometimes it is so different from what we expect we are left reeling. Consider Mary,
Confused and disturbed, Mary tried to think what the angel could mean.
Luke 1:29
Mary’s reaction was not, “Wow! an angel”, but confusion, the message was not what she believed about herself, It was harder to believe than being visited by an angel. The words were-
“Greetings, favored woman! The Lord is with you!”
Luke 1:28
Maybe Mary saw herself as despised and far from the Lord. Her song reinforces this,
“For he took notice of his lowly servant girl.”
Luke 1:48
I sense a Cinderella story. It seems there are times when the Lord puts us in challenging situations that beat us down; yet with purpose. Jesus was later to say,
“Blessed are the poor in Spirit for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven”
Matthew 5:3
When the Lord comes to us with the gift of his presence, what does he find? Is he received by insecurity that puffs itself up so there is no space for him? Or will he find the humility of Mary? One who had embraced her lowly place so she was able to receive Jesus into her poverty.
Picture from Good News Productions International and College Press Publishing.
adaringfaith 
Thanks for this message through you, from the Lord; such a blessing!!! and reminder!!! Wishing you and Eva and your’s a wonderful Christmas, hopefully you’ll all be able to be together for some of it. With much love from us, JAM