Friday - saying Yes to God

Prayer:   Great  God,  we thank You for the birth of Your son.  We thank You that Mary said,  “yes”  to You.  Help us this day to say “yes” to all the taskings that You give us. This we ask in Jesus’ name.  Amen.

 

Read St. Luke 1: 26 – 33

Yesterday we read about Elizabeth being pregnant for five months.   In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy,  God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth to a girl named Mary. 

 

Gabriel greeted Mary not with the traditional greeting of “Fear Not”  but of “Greetings, you who are highly favoured.  The LORD is with you.”   Wow.  What a greeting.   God is with Mary and Mary is highly favoured by God.  Wow! 

 

Mary is concerned as she knows that the only response to such a greeting is faith,  humility,  and obedience.      Gabriel sets her mind at ease by saying, “Do not be afraid, Mary,  you have found favour 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 God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end.”   Wow! 

God has given granted His favour upon Mary.

 

The Messenger, Gabriel,  then tells Mary what will be happening.  She will be with child.  And the name of the child will be Jesus.  And Jesus will rule the house of Jacob forever.

 

Throne of David hearkens back to King David and his glorious reign (well,  almost glorious reign) of bringing Judah and Israel together to live in peace. 

The House of Jacob image hearkens back to the dynasty of Jacob.  The tribes of Israel (Jacob’s name after wrestling with an angel)  were named after the sons of Jacob.  Jacob had quite a unique life.  He certainly was not perfect by any means but from his family came the faith family of the Israelite peoples.   God’s chosen people. 

 

Prayer:  Bless the Lord,  O my soul and all that is within me,  bless Your Holy Name.  Bless the Lord,  O my soul, and may I never forget You.  You forgive my iniquities and You heal all our diseases.  You satisfy our desires with good things so that our souls are renewed live the eagles.  Bless us O Lord so that we may make known Your ways to all peoples.  Amen.