"I am the Lord's servant," Mary answered. "May it be to me as you have said." Then the angel left her.

Each year the build-up to Christmas begins earlier and earlier. By mid-November the hustle and bustle season of making lists, shopping, baking, decorating and visiting has begun.

I remember Christmas preparations when I was a child as pleasant and anything but frantic. With anticipation my brother, my sister and I counted down to Christmas with our Advent calendar. Over the years the calendar’s glitter faded and its doors were repaired with tape yet in spite of its appearance, it remained a treasured part of our Christmas. We took turns opening a door each day until Christmas morning when we excitedly opened the double-doors that revealed Mary and Joseph and baby Jesus.

When Mary spoke these words to Gabriel, “I am the Lord’s servant, May it be to me as you have said”(Luke 1:38) she began her own countdown to the first Christmas. In her heart Mary knew the difficulties that she would face being a young virgin, carrying a child. Did she have moments of worry and fear? Was she filled with joyful anticipation of the birth of her son? Such an enormous responsibility must have seemed to her overwhelming at times but the knowledge that she had been chosen by God to bear His son was all she needed to keep her strong.

As we prepare for this Christmas may we have a faith in our God as strong as Mary’s and may it sustain us through the busyness of the season. Let us set aside some quiet time to contemplate the anticipation a young virgin girl felt when she became “highly favoured.” (Luke 1: 28)

To make the most of your time, take time to pray.