For this second week of advent we consider the word “hope.” While Mary was given opportunity to carry the Son of God, she also would have been confronted with hardship stemming from cultural stipulations placed on her. She had to wonder how her family, her community, and even her soon-to-be husband would respond to pregnancy. Would they understand that it was supernatural? Regardless of how they may or may not respond, she affirmed the angel Gabriel’s announcement: “I am the Lord’s servant. May it be to me as you have said.” (Luke 1:38 NIV)
