Luke 1:26–38 (NRSV)
Read Luke 1:26–38 on biblegateway.com
Verse 26In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, Verse 27to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin's name was Mary. Verse 28And he came to her and said, "Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you." Verse 29But she was much perplexed by his words and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. Verse 30The angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. Verse 31And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus. Verse 32He 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 ancestor David. Verse 33He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end." Verse 34Mary said to the angel, "How can this be, since I am a virgin?" Verse 35The angel said to her, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be holy; he will be called Son of God. Verse 36And now, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son; and this is the sixth month for her who was said to be barren. Verse 37For nothing will be impossible with God." Verse 38Then Mary said, "Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word." Then the angel departed from her.
Devotion
God must like upheaval and surprise. God almost seems to delight in shocking people. Stunning news comes Mary’s way, and it comes in three parts:
She will bear a son even though she is a virgin.
Her son will be a ruler even though the land is in the iron grip of the Roman Empire.
Her son’s name will be Jesus or “the one who saves.”
Most astonishing, this message was meant for more than Mary. It is addressed to you and me. It travels down through the centuries and reverberates in our own ears. In Advent we confess that the blessed virgin’s Son has come to rule our own lives, reigning over us in grace, mercy, and love.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, startle and revive us so that by your Spirit you may move us from trust in ourselves to trust in you. Amen.