This is the first of three Christmas messages as we prepare to celebrate the birth of Jesus. In this message, (titled How Will These Things Be?) we explore the events of the first Christmas from the perspective of Mary. When the angel appeared to her (in Luke 1:26-38) and announced that she would be the mother of the Messiah, this was great good news, but it came with a serious down side for Mary personally. In Mary’s response to the angel we find a wonderful model for all servants of the Lord as well as an example of true faith.