"In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. And the virgin’s name was Mary. And he came to her and said, ‘Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!’ But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be. And 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 bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Highest. And the Lord God will give to 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." – Luke 1:26-33
Reflection:
Have you ever been fearful about something God was prompting you to do? Something He was clearly calling you to?
In Mary’s case, she knew well the prophetic promise that the Messiah was coming. But she certainly didn’t know when, or by what means, the Lord of heaven and earth would accomplish that promise. So, when the angel informed her that she would be the one to conceive and bear the longed-for Christ-Child, she was “greatly troubled,” as in terrified.
We, like Mary, also long for the promises of God to be fulfilled in our lives, and in the lives of our family and friends, don’t we? We wait with hope, praying and yearning… looking ahead with expectation. And, yes, we are often afraid.
But remember what Mary’s journey revealed: The God of the universe—our loving heavenly Father—was with her. Emmanuel, God with us!
This Advent Season, if we are tempted to fear, we can remember that God “is working in” us, giving us “the desire and the power to do what pleases Him,” and we can completely trust in that…for always.
Wishing you an inspiring and memorable Christmas!
Beverly Lewis
