Advent StudyNäide

Let’s rewind a bit after jumping ahead to coffee with Mary.

As magnificent as Gabriel’s first birth announcement was to Zechariah, his second one to Mary was next-level. Both were miraculous! However, we see a stark contrast between the two responses. Zechariah’s question stemmed from unbelief, while Mary’s question was rooted in faith; she just couldn’t grasp how God’s plan could be executed.

The exchange between Gabriel and Mary was epic because it introduced two great mysteries of our faith: the Incarnation and the Trinity. God the Father would bring the Son into the world through Mary by the power of the Holy Spirit. Jesus would become fully man while remaining fully God.

Mary’s heart was postured before the Lord without hesitation in total submission and surrender. She absolutely trusted God and didn’t need to know the particulars. Mary simply yielded her heart to carry out the will of her Master, knowing that with God, nothing was impossible (v. 37).

One of the best songs I’ve heard (and sung) that emulates Mary’s response (in verse 38) is called “Be Born in Me,” written by Bernie Herms and Nichole Nordeman. Let’s listen to it this week and let the cry of our heart in response to God’s call on our lives echo this verse and these lyrics.

The world may seem to be falling apart around us, but God is holding everything together. May our hearts be filled with hope this season as we focus on Him.

Prayer: Lord, enable my immediate response to your call on my life be a resounding “Amen, let it be so!” I desire to be fully available and completely yielded to you. Amen