CHRISTMAS: God's Rescue Plan RealisedSample

After 400 years of silence and no word from God, many must have given up waiting for the Messiah. But after 400 years, God sent an angel to speak with a teenage peasant girl.

In those days, a woman was not valued highly and women had few rights. They were considered to be the property of either their father or their husband… and what they said was considered to be so unreliable that their testimony was not accepted in a court of law.

But God sees things very differently. He sent the angel Gabriel to Mary, to say to her: ‘Greetings, you who are highly favoured. The Lord is with you.’ Straight away, God gives Mary the assurance that he is both with her and that he values her.

It is little wonder that Mary’s response is to burst out with worship, wonder and gratitude… with the words, many churches know as “The Magnificat” (Luke 1:46-56).

No one is ever too lowly to be used by God.

Prayer

Dear Father,

I want to join with Mary in blessing you for the hope you give. You bring honour to the humble and joy to the poor.

I don’t have the words to thank you enough.