Unrealistic expectations are sometimes the cause of much frustration and pain in our lives. The Jewish nation expected a Messiah that would fit into a specific mould. The angel Gabriel appeared to Mary and revealed that she will give birth to the Messiah. Her expectations were in line with the Jewish teachings of what the Messiah would look like. Throughout Jesus’ life and ministry, Mary saw Jesus grow in stature until He was crucified by the nation he was expected to rescue from oppression. Our expectations and reality are seldom aligned, and God has so much more in store than our earthly expectations.