Mary was so much more than what we might first think, she was an amazing young woman of faith and courage.  Women in Mary’s day and culture didn’t speak up for themselves yet here she responds to God’s call upon her with “here I am” echoing the responses of great people and prophets before her – Abraham, Jacob, Moses, Samuel, Isaiah.  She too felt inadequate and ill equipped but trusting God implicitly, simply said yes with her life and her body.  This young Jewish girl from a small rural community, a person of no great importance or status, with no power or privilege is chosen by God to bear God’s Son.  The One who the Hebrew people had been waiting for, for centuries – with hope for freedom and for peace.