From Rev. Paula Gembala
Scripture: Luke 1:26-38
In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the Angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. The angel went to her and said, “Greeting, 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 conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants 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 on 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 unable to conceive is in her sixth month. For no word from God will ever fail.”
“I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Then the Angel left her.
Thought for the Day: As I read this piece of scripture, I sense Mary had a very deep faith in God. Can you imagine if an angel appeared to you how you might respond? Mary didn’t run away or call for help. She listened to what the Angel had to say. Sure, she questioned how this could be, but in the end she said, “I am the Lord’s servant, may your word to me be fulfilled.” She knew that she would be ridiculed for not being married, she knew the towns people would be talking about her. Even knowing these things, she was willing to be the Lord’s servant!
I would imagine that Mary was aware of scripture where Angels had appeared and spoken to others before. If that wasn’t enough to convince her, she also received proof from her cousin Elizabeth. Remember the Angel told her, Elizabeth who had not been able to have children, was now six months pregnant. Mary went to see her and when she arrived, Elizabeth’s baby leaped within her and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. (Luke 1:41-43)
Elizabeth said to Mary, “You are blessed by God above all other women, and your child is blessed. What an honor this is that the mother of the Lord should visit me!” Did you catch that? Elizabeth was able to confirm what the Angel had told Mary, because she was filled with the Holy Spirit.
We could all learn from Mary. Start by asking yourself these questions: Do I have a strong faith like Mary? Am I willing to be a servant for the Lord? Could I really say, here I am Lord, send me?
Prayer: Creator God, walk beside us as we face each new day. When an opportunity comes where we can show our faith, allow us to stand tall and accept the challenge just like Mary did. Let me be your servant. Help me always respond, “Here I am Lord, send me.” Amen.
THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT
Also Today
CONGREGATIONAL MEETING
At 9:00am in the Forum
&
Noon in the Centrum
Voting on the 2016 Leadership and Budget
AND TONIGHT AT 7PM
