Advent - Day Four

For Advent this year, we are reading A Weary World Rejoices written by Brittany Rust **************************************************************

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.

Luke 1:26-38 NKJV

The wheels are put in motion for the coming of Jesus with an announcement to a young virgin girl. God was about to send the Savior and He chose to do it through her. Wow, to be in Mary’s shoes. A teenager given an incredible responsibility.

But God knew exactly what He was doing, and Mary was the person for the job. Let’s not forget that God has always, and will always, have a plan. A plan that weaves all things together for good. Mary had no idea what that looked like but her future pain and joy were wrapped up in good. And so is ours. But only because Jesus came.

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Prayer:

Father, 

           Sometimes it's hard to recognize the good in the trials of life. Help us to see Your fingerprints on everything - to recognize the value added of growing in grace and strengthening our faith and trust in You through what satan meant for bad in our lives. We want to follow Your plan and not our own. Help us, O God, for we cannot do that without You. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen