Maryam was the most honored woman in history. She was raised in Bayt al-Maqdis, cared for by Prophet Zakariya. One day, the angel Jibril came in human form and announced: "Maryam, Allah gives you news of a son. His name is Isa al-Masih, son of Maryam."
Maryam was startled: "How? No man has touched me." Jibril replied: "So it is. Allah says: 'Kun, fa yakun' — Be, and it is."
Maryam conceived by Allah's power. When she gave birth under a date palm, alone and afraid, Allah provided. When she returned to her town with baby Isa, people accused: "Maryam, you have done something terrible!"
Maryam didn't answer — she pointed to the baby. So baby Isa in the cradle spoke, by Allah's permission: "I am indeed a servant of Allah. He has given me the Book and made me a prophet."
Isa grew and was sent to the Children of Israel. Allah gave him many miracles: he healed the blind and leprous, raised the dead by Allah's leave, made birds from clay that came to life. Yet many still refused him.
Some plotted to kill him. But Allah raised Isa alive to heaven. "They did not kill him or crucify him, but it was made to appear so." (An-Nisa: 157)
Muslims believe Isa will return to earth at the end of times.
For children: Isa is a servant of Allah, not a god. He honored his mother and called people to worship Allah alone.