King Ahaz was terrified. The enemy was besieging Jerusalem, and he feared that the city would soon fall. God gave him a sign that he and the city would be safe - a young woman would conceive and bear a child. The enemy would be defeated before the child had even reached the age of reason. And so, it was - they were saved! The prophecy was clearly meant for King Ahaz and his time - eight centuries before Christ. It was fulfilled within his lifetime.

But prophecies can be 'recycled' and given new life. Eight centuries later, Matthew applied the same prophecy to Jesus, who also came to save and liberate. How could he reuse a prophecy? The prophecies describe the way God always works in human history to guide, protect, and bless us, so they can be applied many times over. Just as God did for King Ahaz and Jerusalem, so he now did for humanity. The angel used the same language when he spoke to Mary. Like many of the courageous women of Israel, she was willing to do whatever God asked - 'let it be done to me according to your word'. God can do great things through us when we say 'yes,' so let us follow Mary's example.