Advent Day 11: Luke 1:26-56

Read & Journal

Read Luke 1:26-56, then meditate over what you’ve read.

• What examples of God’s faithfulness do you notice in these verses?

• What are some ways Mary displays faith in God?

• What does this passage reveal to you about Jesus, His character and His purpose?

• Read the Magnificat, Mary’s song of praise in verses 46-55 again. Read it with the understanding that Mary’s acceptance of God’s plan meant that she would be an outcast, that people she loved would lose respect for her and think the worst—of her, of Joseph, of the baby. When have you seen someone give praise to God when what He has called them to is difficult or doesn’t make sense? What did you learn from that experience?

Ponder

When Gabriel announced the good news to Zechariah that he and Elizabeth would have a son, Gabriel was met with a question that demanded proof: How can I know this? (Luke 1:18). Gabriel’s response was swift: My presence should be enough for you (Holman New Testament Commentary).

When Gabriel came to Mary, she was confused. Verse 29 describes a woman reeling with the news she has just been given, trying to make sense of everything as quickly as possible. If you’ve ever gotten news that rocked you back on your heels, you know the feeling. You hear the words and understand them—at least somewhat—but it’s like a puzzle and you can’t seem to figure out how all the pieces fit together. Mary seemingly responds to Gabriel in much the same way that Zechariah did—”How can this be?” (v. 34)—but the heart of her question wasn’t aimed at demanding proof that what Gabriel had said was true. She trusted the character of God, but she also knew she was a virgin. What Gabriel was telling her sat decidedly outside the bounds of what she knew to be possible, but her response—and ultimately her praise—displayed her faith.

We don’t know Mary’s age, but scholars say that a girl was often between the ages of 12 to 14 when she became engaged, a relationship which could only be broken by divorce, though the woman still lived with her parents. Regardless of her youth, Mary was likely aware that submitting to God’s plan would have a cost. She might lose the respect of others; people would heap shame on her and Joseph. To follow God meant to walk into the unknown where people she loved wouldn’t necessarily support her or understand what God was doing. Still, she remained faithful.

When we walk with Jesus, the life He calls us to doesn’t always make sense to a world living in darkness. Our decisions, our lifestyle, the things that are most important to us as believers likely won’t line up with the things the world cherishes. But like Mary, we are following a God whose character we can trust. “Nothing is impossible with God,” Gabriel reminded Mary, harkening back to Genesis 18:14, and we may need the same encouragement today. He has called us to a different way of life that the world may not understand, but as Mary knew, He is faithful; He is trustworthy; and nothing is impossible with God.