Stepping out of the nativity, I pick up a pre-nativity story as Mary is asked by the angel to give birth to God's son.

Gabriel told Mary she would have a boy
For her and everyone as a source of joy
Can you imagine how shocked she became
Pledged to Joseph but not sharing his name

Did she have the choice to say “no” to her God?
The angel didn’t ask – which seems very odd
Instead she accepted it with all of her heart
Not knowing what it would take to play her part

she visited Elizabeth to see
if she was with child as he said she’d be
Liz was with child like Mary had been told
Which strengthened her faith and made her more bold

with this new faith she followed God each day
and obeyed God’s instructions all the way
not knowing all the trials she’d endure
but feeling all the time she was secure

That faith led her through the short days ahead
and stayed with her after her son was dead
But it also led her through the dark skies
outside that grave from which he did arise