Focal Passage: Luke 1:26-38
Have you ever been caught by surprise? On my 16th birthday, I thought I had figured out that my parents were throwing me a surprise party — I just didn’t know where. When we pulled into McDonald’s and all my friends were standing there wearing McDonald party hats (which was hilarious considering some of them later went on to play Division I college football), boy, was I surprised!
Luke allows us to witness the surprise in Mary’s life when she learned she would soon give birth to a baby. When Gabriel comes to make his heavenly announcement, we find a young woman with an incredible description. We know Mary is young. She is pure. She is engaged to Joseph — a commitment far more binding in their culture than an engagement is today. Most importantly, we know she is highly favored by God.
The title “highly favored” is rich with meaning. It comes from the same Greek root as our word for “grace.” God thinks highly of Mary. She has received His grace — undeserved, unearned, freely given. Everything about this favor comes from the hand of God.
Brandon Johns
One would think being highly favored by God should instill confidence and courage. Yet immediately after hearing those words, Mary is anything but confident. She is deeply troubled. And in her inner turmoil, Mary asks a very practical question: “Why?”
How many times do you think she asked that question? She was just a simple girl with no claim to fame. To the world around her, she wasn’t much, but to God she was of immeasurable worth. No one else would have chosen her to be the mother of God’s own Son — but God did. We don’t see as God sees. The words of the prophet Samuel still ring true: “Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart” (I Samuel 16:7).
Mary is then given insight into the character of her Son. His name would be Jesus, meaning “God saves.” He would be great — the Son of the Most High God. He would reign forever on the throne of His father David. What an incredible description. Her son would be a King!
Mary didn’t stop with “why.” She also asked, “How?” How could she become pregnant when she was a virgin? She didn’t know how, but she trusted that God would provide. The Holy Spirit would work to bring about this miracle — the God who created all things would create again, this time in the form of a baby. It may have all sounded too good to be true, but God was at work.
Then the angel makes a powerful declaration: “Nothing is impossible with God.” Even her relative Elizabeth — well past childbearing years — is expecting a child. All of this stands as a testimony that nothing is too difficult for God. And with that, Mary devotes herself fully to the Lord’s direction and purposes.
Today, as we celebrate Christ’s birth, may we worship the Lord for His power and authority. May we remember that nothing is impossible for God. May we trust Him to do the impossible through us. Pray that God will show Himself through you in a big way this Christmas season.
Merry Christmas! B&R
