December 9
Luke 1:26-38 (NKJV) Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. And having come in, the angel said to her, “Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women!” But when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and considered what manner of greeting this was. Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name JESUS. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end.” Then Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I do not know a man?” And the angel answered and said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God. Now indeed, Elizabeth your relative has also conceived a son in her old age; and this is now the sixth month for her who was called barren. For with God nothing will be impossible.” Then Mary said, “Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.
Notice with me some key points: Gabriel is the angel sent by God; a city in Galilee named Nazareth is the destination; Gabriel is going to a virgin who is betrothed or promised to a man named Joseph; this man Joseph is of the house of David; the virgin’s name is Mary; she is troubled by the manner of greeting; Gabriel tells her that she will have a Son; this Son will be great and reign forever; she is confused because she has not been with a man; Gabriel explains that this Child will be called the Son of God.
Something that hit me in a new way was that Gabriel did not stop there with those things. To further encourage Mary he told her that her relative who once was barren or unable to conceive had indeed conceived and was in her sixth month. He then said, “For with God nothing is impossible.” He was encouraging her that if God was able to open Elizabeth’s womb then God could fulfill what he had just spoken to her.
She may not fully understand what was happening to her or recall all the prophesies of old, but she knew Elizabeth could not have a child and this angel, Gabriel, said she was now with child. What she says next now makes sense to me…it’s like saying, “I do not understand, but I trust the Lord and so then let it be how you have said.” She yields to God’s will without needing to understand it all.
Is there anything that you have been trusting God for that seems miraculous? Trust in the Lord with all your heart; lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your path…He is faithful and trustworthy ~ and He loves you! Give thanks and praise Him!
Merry Christmas ~ Laurie Kay
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