Daily Devotionals

december 14, 2020

This is the second week of Advent. Our devotions this week center on the theme of "surprises" in the Christmas story.


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 Most High. 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.”

 

And Mary said to the angel, “How will this be, since I am a virgin?”

 

And the angel answered 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 called holy—the Son of God. And behold, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son, and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren. For nothing will be impossible with God.” And Mary said, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.

 

Luke 1:30-38

Oh my goodness—I have been missing something in all my years of reading this passage. We call it “The Annunciation,” the moment when the angel visits Mary and tells her that she will give birth to Jesus. We admire Mary because of her quick assent, her agreement to be “the servant of the Lord.” But Mary is not just a good, obedient girl—she hears something else that we might gloss over (like I did!).

 

Mary hears overwhelming evidence of God’s hand at work.  It was not just that she was the chosen woman to bear God’s son. Mary hears the news that her older cousin, Elizabeth, would also bring a son into the world under seemingly impossible circumstances. The full meaning of these two related events led the angel to utter his final and most important message:  “For nothing will be impossible with God.”

 

Mary also hears that God will not leave her alone in this time. Through Elizabeth, God will provide companionship and protection. As Mary comprehends the arc of the story of which she is a key part, she asks no more questions. I can imagine her dashing off as quickly as she could to go see Elizabeth so they could rejoice together, to share an intimate wonder that only the two of them could ever understand. What profound joy!

For Reflection


What joy have you been able to share with someone who has had a similar experience?


Where have you seen God’s provision and protection through a relationship?

Prayer


Lord and Savior Jesus, help me hear Your voice. Assure me that nothing is impossible with You. Help me see Your hand at work and trust Your provision and protection. I want to give myself over to You, as freely as Mary did. Amen.

Mary Hoffman
Senior Music Ministry Director
404-842-5814