Long time ago an important announcement was made – God prophesied over the first couple, Adam and Eve. His riddled message conveyed that the woman’s Seed would crush the Serpent’s head while the Serpent in turn would strike His heel.

Only moments ago the first couple had listened to the deceiving message of a conniving Serpent. This had led to a chain of unhappy events – For the first time, Eve committed an act of disobedience and so did Adam. I cannot imagine how they must have felt when everything came to light and God had to evict them from Paradise. Mankind was doomed, so it seemed, but this is not how God operates. He lifted them up by bringing a message of hope: He announced the coming of the Messiah. One of Eve’s daughters would give birth to God’s Son.

Then the day arrived when Angel Gabriel was sent to Mary, a young teenage-girl who lived in Israel, in the town of Nazareth. He went to her and said [Luke 1:28]: “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.”

Gabriel greeted her like a queen. Mary was startled by the angel and wondered why he addressed her in this fashion. He quickly got to the point and delivered the message telling her that she was chosen by God to give birth to the Messiah.

Finally God’s prophecy materialized and came true, and heaven waited with baited breath to hear Mary’s answer. Meanwhile Mary addressed the heavenly messenger: “How can I give birth to a child when I am a virgin?” she asked. The angel clarified that she would conceive the child through the Holy Spirit if she allowed it – and Mary said ‘yes’. And just like that Mary fulfilled prophecy becoming part of a groundbreaking movement that would sweep across the globe and come to everyone’s doorsteps. When we welcome the Messiah we get to discover the Lord on a personal level. Following Him we spread His kingdom and become agents of hope. “His kingdom will never end”, Angel Gabriel said. We’re on for eternity.