December 20
Scripture of the day: "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 name Him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David; and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and His kingdom will have no end.' Mary said to the angel, 'How can this be, since I am a virgin?' The angel answered and said to her, 'The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; and for that reason the holy Child shall be called the Son of God.'" Luke 1:30
Thought of the day: Angels say a lot in a few words. Gabriel told Mary not to be afraid ... and that she had found favor with God. He told her that she would conceive a son ... told her that His name would be Jesus ... and told her that He would be called the Son of the Most High. Gabriel explained that God would give David's throne to Him ... that He would reign over the house of Jacob forever ... and that His kingdom would be endless. Gabriel also explained how she, as a virgin, would become pregnant ... and that Jesus was a holy Child who would be called the Son of God.
Challenge of the day: Gabriel's announcement was extensive ... and contained the wonderful news that Mary would conceive and bear Jesus. She didn't resist God's will. And her reaction wasn't complicated ... it was simple and practical. She asked, "How can this be, since I am a virgin?" Learn from Mary's example. Don't get too complicated. Follow God in a willing, simple, and practical way.
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