When a woman conceives a child, her whole life changes. When she goes to see a doctor, he urges her to stay healthy. She must maintain a proper diet and avoid smoking and drinking if she’s used to. All of this is not only for herself but also for the sake of her baby. On this Sunday we hear about a woman who conceived a child. It was such an extraordinary event that an angel announced the fact to Mary, an angel whose name, ‘’Gabriel,’’ means ‘’the strength or power of God.’’ Through the power of the Holy Spirit God himself conceived this child without a human father because this child is unique: no one was ever like him before or since. This child is God’s Son from all eternity, and in time he became the Son of Mary. God had seen to Mary’s spiritual health by granting her the favor of having been conceived in the womb of Ann, her mother, without sin. We call that truth her immaculate conception we just celebrated on December 8th. God also willed her continued spiritual health by preserving her from sin for her entire life. During her pregnancy Mary must have glowed with a special light because of her awareness that Jesus was living within her. St. Mathew, who tells us this wonderful story in today’s liturgy, observed of Mary after Jesus’ birth that “Mary treasured all these things and reflected on them in her heart.’’ We too should treasure the marvelous event of the conception and birth of Jesus. Upon reflecting on them in our heart, as did Mary, we ought to come to see that they are not far-off events which happened on the other side of the world only to and for Mary. These marvels are ours as well by the gracious design of God.