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. (Luke 1:26-29)
What was Mary doing, when the angel came to her? Sweeping the floor, feeding the chickens, carrying water? Probably something very ordinary. How strange, then, to have an angel call you "O favored one" and say that the Lord was with you!
Of course she was afraid. Angels come for a purpose. And Gabriel was there to tell her that the Lord would soon be with her in a way more intimate and close than she could possibly imagine—incarnate within her as a baby in her womb.
How could she comprehend such a thing, that God would come to her like that? How can we comprehend it, when Jesus comes to us, to live within us as our Savior and Redeemer? It takes some getting used to.
But Mary would have that time—nine months of it!—before she began raising the very Son of God as her own Son. And we, too, have time to get used to Jesus' loving presence with us—from the day we first trust Him who died and rose for us, until the day we see Him face to face.
WE PRAY: Dear Jesus, help me to get used to living with You day by day. Amen.
Reflection Questions:
* How strange would it be, to have the Lord as your child?
* In how many ways is the Lord with you? Name some of them.
* How does God remind you of His loving presence?
Advent Devotions were written by Dr. Kari Vo.
Today's Bible Readings: Zechariah 5-8 Jude
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