Despite starting the day with an Advent celebration through our Daily Hope, my optimism was bruised and in need of renewal after driving about in the holiday mayhem. Within 30 seconds of my prayer request for refreshed hope, God gave His answer right in the middle of Bestgate Road. He placed 4 smiling, waving messengers on the median bearing one message in big, bold red letters: “JESUS.” Instant peace and joy came at the name of Jesus.

When God sent His messenger Gabriel to Nazareth, Mary was walking down the path to marriage to fulfill the expectation of her day in a time of occupation and true mayhem. God was providing her a husband, but did she ever expect that He would also provide her the Messiah? Let alone be His mother?! Did she ever expect that she would be the first to hear the name of Jesus spoken to the world? Was there instant peace at the sound of His name? Did she instantly trust God’s perfect plan and provision when her entire world of expectations was rocked? Do we?

May we truly be inspired by the faith of a young, Hebrew woman. Mary was favored by God, and yet expected to walk down the most powerful paths of fulfillment with her son from “scandalous” birth to the horrific cross to everlasting life and salvation in Him.

Luke 1.26-33

26 In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, 27 to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. And the virgin’s name was Mary. 28 And he came to her and said, “Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!” 29 But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be. 30 And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. 31 And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, 33 and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.”

[ WHAT ] is this passage saying and what is a key truth or thought that we learn?

+ Luke notes that Joseph, Mary’s fiancé, is “of the house of David”. Why is that noteworthy here? [v. 32]

+ Luke twice mentions Mary’s status as a virgin. In light of Isaiah 7.14, what is Luke saying in pointing out her status?

+ The angel Gabriel twice tells Mary that she is favored by God. What had Mary done to get this favor and what does it say of the nature of God?

[ HOW ] is the Lord calling me to action/obedience?

+ Is there sin to confess or a next step to take? How has it gone since last time?

+ What message has God given specifically to me to speak and carry out today?

+ What steps can I take right now to walk in faith to see it fulfilled by His plan and power?

[ WHO ] am I walking with and praying for to discover Jesus?

+ What is my next step?

+ Who needs to boldly hear me proclaim the name of the Messiah? Is it someone who needs it for the first time of freedom in Him, or someone who needs a time of renewal and refreshment by His peace and hope?