READ: MATTHEW 1:18-25; LUKE 1:26-38

As Rosa walked toward town to meet up with her fiancé Antonio, she was passing by the old mines when something shiny caught her eye amidst the rocks and tumbleweeds. She was leaning down to look when suddenly a voice from above rumbled, “Go and take this gold. It is a gift for you and a promise of more to come. I will restore this town and bring it out of poverty.”

Shaking with surprise, Rosa said, “Who’s there? Who are you?”

“I am the One who watches over you. And I will restore this town, starting with you. Go and tell the people of my promise.” So Rosa picked up the shining object, excitement coursing through her veins. It was a perfect gold nugget. Rosa ran into town, looking for anyone to share the good news with. The first person she ran into was the banker.

“Look what I found! The old mines are going to open again—this whole town can be restored!” She shoved the nugget into the banker’s hands, and he gave it, and her, an appraising look. “Well, it looks like a perfect gold nugget—too perfect to be real. Besides, there’s no way this could have come from the mines. They’ve been closed for decades. Now, who did you flirt with to get this?”

“Flirt with?” The sheriff overheard their conversation and stepped in. “How do you know she didn’t steal it? Let me see that!” The sheriff grabbed the nugget in one hand and Rosa’s arm in the other. “I think we should have a little talk at the station.” Rosa struggled. “I’m no thief! I found the gold, and a voice told me that more would come!”

“No, she’s right.” Antonio pushed his way through a gathering crowd of onlookers. “I had a strange dream last night that the mines re-opened and there was more gold than we could imagine.”

“Thank you,” Rosa mouthed as the sheriff grumbled some excuse and let go of her arm.

Antonio smiled at her. “I didn’t know what the dream meant until you found the gold—this is great news!” Rosa smiled back and whispered, “It’s going to be a miracle.” • Naomi Zylstra

• Consider taking some time to read the Bible passages today’s allegorical story is based on. God chose a humble teenager, Mary, to give birth to the Savior. Why do you think God chose to save the world this way? Imagine yourself in the banker’s or sheriff’s shoes, hearing Rosa’s story. What must it have been like for Mary to be doubted and scandalized?

“Don’t be afraid, Mary,” the angel told her, “for you have found favor with God!” Luke 1:30 (NLT)