Luke 1: 28, 30, 38
The angel Gabriel has visited Mary saying, "Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you. Do not be afraid, Mary. You have found favor with God."
The word "favor" means "friendly or kind regard, approval, liking." The Lord likes Mary very much. He approves of her. Even though she is young, she stands in high regard, so high that she will bear the Son of God whose kingdom shall never end!
Why is Mary so favored? In verse 45 of the same chapter, her cousin Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit, tells us why: "Blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished." When she was told she'd be overshadowed by the power of the Most High, resulting in pregnancy, she didn't laugh, doubt, argue or complain. She simply said, "I am the Lord's servant. May it be to me as you have said." She believed and she submitted to prophecy's fulfillment.
The Christmas story is filled with examples of those who were willing to look, listen, obey and follow. Their obedience was key to unfolding the plan of salvation. There's Joseph who listened to words of guidance and warning multiple times, uprooting whatever plans he may have had as they moved from Bethlehem to Egypt to Nazareth.
There's Mary, who must've suffered greatly with an unplanned pregnancy. Who would believe her farfetched explanations? She gives birth in a stable with no midwife, only Joseph to help. Yet, she is part of a marvelous tapestry! Generations will call her blessed.
There's also the Magi who curiously follow a star to a foreign land. The shepherds heard the gospel through a great company of heavenly hosts and hurried off to see for themselves, telling others as they praised God.
Lord, grant me a willing, believing spirit such as these people had, so your great story never ends.
"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests." Luke 2: 14
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