(Luke 1v 38, James 1 v 21, Gal 4 v 19)
It is hard to know how life is formed - truly formed.
All we know is there is a point at which, having received the seed, life begins and grows.
The egg and the sperm, the soil and the seed.
The girl, engaged to be married to a local guy, was amazed. But her amazement did not prevent the key confession:
"May it be to me as you have said"
That was the point of conception. Life began. 9 months later, the Christ was born.
James used interesting language: "Receive with meekness the implanted word."
The word as seed - implanted in our hearts.
This is another point of conception - and we "become pregnant".
With the word. With Jesus.
Life begins to grow in us - and in due time we give birth
The Apostle laboured long and hard with one thing in mind: "My dear children, for whom I am again in the pains of childbirth until Christ is formed in you".
But we do have to say "yes" to his word in us.
Then we will give birth - produce - what the Bible calls the "fruit of the Spirit".
The very characteristics of Jesus, the Christ.
After all, our colleagues have to see Him.
Don't they?
So, let's keep saying what Mary said.