Luke 1:26-38
In the sixth-month, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendent of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.” Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. You will be with child and give birth to a Son, and you are to give Him the name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord will give Him the throne of His father David, and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever; His kingdom will never end.” “How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?” The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So, the Holy One to be born will be called the Son of God. Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be barren is in her six month. For nothing is impossible with God.” “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May it be to me as you have said.” Then the angel left her.
Devotion
This advent season we are encouraging believers to reclaim the true meaning of Christmas by shifting our focus in order to worship fully the Christ who came to dwell with us. Last week, we looked at the importance of shifting our focus on Christ and His second advent. This week we will look at the life of Mary as we discover what it means to worship fully. Mary’s response to the angelic news that she would be the mother of the long awaited Messiah is astonishing. Her response was, “May it be to me as you have said.”
This story could have ended several different ways. Mary could have refused to go along with God’s divine plan. She could have reluctantly agreed to be the mother of the Messiah. She could have grumbled and complained about how God’s plan would disrupt her life and cause her unwanted pain. Instead, she submits to the will of God. She willingly accepts her role in God’s divine plan and her obedience becomes an act of worship. As we prepare to celebrate Christmas this year, let us fully worship Christ with obedient hearts. May each one of us respond to God with, “May it be to me as you have said.”
Questions to Ponder
How is obedience an act of worship? Do you take time each day to stop and praise God for His presence in your life? How does your love for Jesus show? What is God asking of you in this season of your life? How will you respond to Him?
Spend some time in prayer meditating on what God revealed to you today.