An ancient Christian theologian penned this couplet:
“Of what value is God’s message to Marie [Mary, mother of Jesus]
if He has not the same message for me?”
God is trying to give us the same sign, send the same message to each of us. He wants a special birthing to take place in each one of us, each of us being his unique, holy, precious, only begotten child.
I was told by a former pastor that the pain in me had a message I needed to hear. He sent me home to have a written dialog which revealed that something new wanted to be born in me, and something had to die for the new being to emerge. The process awaited my permission. It depended entirely on my consent. God does not birth himself into our consciousness without our cooperation.
God wants to birth Himself into our awareness in such a way that we possess our own Immanuel, our own internal God-With-Us, God-Within-Us.
God’s signs are around and within us. If we don’t witness one, God invites us to ask for one, our own personal sign. The message to Mary is God’s message to us. He awaits our permission.
Ann Glover O'Dell 
Dear Ann,
Lovely message. I blogged on something similar today, but yours is from much more personal experience.
Love, Celia
Thank you, Dear. It was used with scripture in our church’s Advent devotional book. I’ll send you the whole thing. Hope you are having a splendid Christmas. I look forward to seeing more of you in the New Year.
Love,
Ann