Significant things often begin in seemingly insignificant ways. When sound waves enter the human ear, they bounce off three tiny bones: the hammer, the anvil, and the stirrup. The resulting vibrations send a message to the brain where logic is employed in the decision-making process. Then, the hearer takes certain action steps based on the words heard.

Zacharias, Mary, Joseph, and Herod all heard God’s message with their hammer, anvil, and stirrup. These apparently insignificant bones conveyed the announcement of Messiah’s arrival to their brains. So what accounted for their different reactions? Zacharias doubted, Mary and Joseph believed, and Herod rejected the message. And each of their responses had significant results.