Advent Devotional 2021
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He will be very great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David. Luke 1:32 (NLT)
Luke records for his readers, eyewitness testimony regarding God’s plan to redeem his creation.
An adolescent girl named Mary was going about her everyday chores, completely unaware that something miraculous was about to change her life and that of mankind for all eternity.
Sent by God, the angel Gabriel comes to Mary and says, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.” Although Mary is taken aback by this celestial encounter, the angel assures her she doesn’t need to be afraid. She has found favor with God. Gabriel continues, “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.”
Mary’s mind was most likely swimming with questions, fear and uncertainty. She was a virgin after all and unsure how this proclamation was actually going to happen.
Do you think Mary wondered what she had done in her short life to be found worthy of such a holy declaration? I do, and I believe the answer to her pondering is reflected in the quality of her character. She answers Gabriel’s announcement saying, “I am the Lord’s servant, may it be to me as you have said.” Her strength, faith, devotion, trust, obedience, humility and willing spirit found favor in the sight of Almighty God.
May each of us embody the kind of character that finds favor in the eyes of the Almighty so that when he calls, we can answer with an enthusiastic, “Here I am Lord, take me.”
Cheryl C.
An adolescent girl named Mary was going about her everyday chores, completely unaware that something miraculous was about to change her life and that of mankind for all eternity.
Sent by God, the angel Gabriel comes to Mary and says, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.” Although Mary is taken aback by this celestial encounter, the angel assures her she doesn’t need to be afraid. She has found favor with God. Gabriel continues, “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.”
Mary’s mind was most likely swimming with questions, fear and uncertainty. She was a virgin after all and unsure how this proclamation was actually going to happen.
Do you think Mary wondered what she had done in her short life to be found worthy of such a holy declaration? I do, and I believe the answer to her pondering is reflected in the quality of her character. She answers Gabriel’s announcement saying, “I am the Lord’s servant, may it be to me as you have said.” Her strength, faith, devotion, trust, obedience, humility and willing spirit found favor in the sight of Almighty God.
May each of us embody the kind of character that finds favor in the eyes of the Almighty so that when he calls, we can answer with an enthusiastic, “Here I am Lord, take me.”
Cheryl C.
Prayer focus: Obedience to God
Community prayer focus: Salvation Army staff & individuals served by Salvation Army
Community prayer focus: Salvation Army staff & individuals served by Salvation Army
Favorite Christmas Tradition
Christmas begins when NPR plays Brother Heinrich’s Christmas by John Rutter -- beautiful singing!
Joan Peck
Christmas begins when NPR plays Brother Heinrich’s Christmas by John Rutter -- beautiful singing!
Joan Peck
