Scripture: Luke 1:26-38, Isaiah 7:14, Isaiah 9:6-7, Daniel 7:14, 1 Samuel 16:7

In today's Scripture, we look at an incredible and great announcement from the angel Gabriel to Mary that she would be the mother of the Son of God, Jesus. In this season of Advent we also look with anticipation to the incredible and great announcement of Christ's return. This will not be a quiet visit to just one person, this will be an announcement the whole world will see and hear!

As we look at today's reading, the question for us is how will we react to the announcement of the Savior's birth? We can learn from Mary…

The angel Gabriel came to Mary, saying, "Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you!" (Hold onto that word favored - we're coming back to that!) She was pretty shocked, but the angel said to not be afraid and he announces to her that she will conceive (even though she is a virgin) and have a son. She is to name Him Jesus and he will be the Son of the Most High - His kingdom will never end. This child being announced is the long awaited Messiah! He is the fulfillment of the prophetic word all through the Old Testament.

Call Him Jesus
1. Jesus = God Saves
2. Son of the Most High - God with us
3. Reign on David's throne
4. Kingdom will never end!!

As the story continues, Mary asks how this could be as she is a virgin. The angel tells her that the Holy Spirit will come on her and the power of the Most High will over come her and that the Holy One to be born will be called the Son of God. The angel concludes with, "No word from God will ever fail!!"

What a great line! Sometimes that seems hard to believe, especially if we are going through a difficult time, but we have a clear word from God that His word never fails, that in the end all who trust in Jesus will share in His victory! In the end WE WIN! GOD KEEPS HIS WORD - no word from God will ever fail!

But there's a word here that speaks directly to us today as we walk by faith in our Savior - "Why was Mary CHOSEN (favored) to be the Mother of Jesus?

Highly Favored
1. 1 Samuel 16:7 we learn that "The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the HEART." God is concerned about the heart and that's the heart of the reason He chose Mary to be the mother of Jesus. We want to have her heart. People look from the outside in, God looks from the inside out.
2. Devout (see Luke 1:46-47) - She knew God and His faithfulness
3. Humble (see Luke 1:48) The Lord noticed her humble state - she understood she deserved nothing from God, but she also knew God is good and everything good comes from Him.
4. Obedient (see Luke 1:38) Her reply to the announcement was, "I am the Lord's servant. May your word to me be fulfilled." She was willing to go along with the divine plan. She takes this Great Announcement as God's truth! Our Savior is coming to earth!

We want the Lord to look at our hearts and we want Him to see hearts that are faithful before Him: devout, humble and obedient.

Our reaction to this Great Announcement is to respond in joy and thanksgiving and praise to the goodness and grace of God in Christ. This is a "WOW" gift!

What an incredible announcement and living in response to it is an incredible way to live!!

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