Devotion:
Read Luke 1:26-38.
To grasp Mary’s faith, we need to put ourselves in her place and imagine an angel suddenly appearing to us. Many of us would probably faint from terror. Mary had just experienced some perplexing things--a visit from an angel, who said that she would become pregnant through the Holy Spirit and that her child would be "called the Son of the Most High." This meant he would be the Son of God, the promised Messiah of God's people.
Wonder what raced through Mary's mind and heart? Was she tempted to ask for a better explanation of why and how all this would happen? Was she tempted to say no, you are wrong. Mary must have thought that someone else would be a better choice for this task. This whole thing made no sense and she would never find a way to convince her parents and neighbors this was all legitimate. Despite her bewilderment, Mary remains composed as she listens and responds to the angel Gabriel. Read again the power of Mary's answer to the angel. "I am the Lord's servant... May it be to me as you have said.” For her example of unwavering faith in the face of great uncertainty, Mary deserves our deep respect. Mary had a wide-open heart, a life that was totally available for whatever God had in mind. A servant heart is an available heart. Is your heart open today to what God wants you to do?
Personal Worship Option:
God, as we celebrate the birth of your Son, our Savior. Help us to acknowledge Him as Lord and to trust Him with our lives. We struggle with the awe of it all. Increase our faith and our faithfulness. Amen.
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