Monday, December 9

In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth,
a town in Galilee, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph,
a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.” Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. But the angel said to her,
“Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus.”
Luke 1:26-31

The words spoken by Gabriel to Mary had been foretold in the Old Testament. Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord. (Genesis 6:8) I will make a righteous Branch sprout from David’s line…he will be called The Lord our Righteous Savior. (Jeremiah 33: 15) The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son and will call him Immanuel. (Isaiah 7:14) He will reign on David’s throne from that time and forever. (Isaiah 9:7) The God of heaven will set up a kingdom that will never be destroyed. (Daniel 2:44) Your throne will be established forever. (Psalms 89:36 and 2Samuel 7:16)

Now in the New Testament, when Gabriel announces that Mary had found favor, it was a wonderful gift of grace from God. Such a gift is the entrance of faith into our hearts. His blessing makes Mary happy, as we too become blessed when we believe. Being Blessed refers to our ultimate well-being and spiritual joy. Paul spoke of “grace’, then “peace” from being blessed (in Romans and Ephesians).

Mary’s initial agitation was a normal reaction to an angelic announcement, but her mind went on immediately to finding the meaning of his address. Gabriel calmed her fears over the presence of God, allowing her to see him as a Father by using familiar terms of prophesy with which she was familiar. We should model her wisdom and in fear and reverence carefully seek meaning throughout God’s word. We should also note that the angel not only spoke privately to Mary but brought glad tidings which would shortly be published to the whole world. The shadowed Messiah of the Law was manifested in the advent season the world still celebrates.

Gordon Smith