December 20, Mary

Day 21, December 20

Persons: Mary

Theme/Event: The Hope for a Future

Symbol: Mary and Gabriel

We have been talking a long time about Jesus’ ancestors. Tonight, we learn about Jesus’ mother. The nation of Israel had been waiting a very long time- waiting for their true King, their Savior, the one who would restore all things since the sins of the first ancestors, Adam and Eve. The time was finally at hand. God’s plan for saving His people from their sin once and for all was coming true.

Luke 1:26-38

²⁶ Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, ²⁷ to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. ²⁸ And having come in, the angel said to her, “Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women!”
²⁹ But when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and considered what manner of greeting this was. ³⁰ Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. ³¹ And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name JESUS. ³² He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. ³³ And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end.”
³⁴ Then Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I do not know a man?”
³⁵ And the angel answered and said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God. ³⁶ Now indeed, Elizabeth your relative has also conceived a son in her old age; and this is now the sixth month for her who was called barren. ³⁷ For with God nothing will be impossible.”
³⁸ Then Mary said, “Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.

What a wonderful message Gabriel told Mary! God’s people had hope once more! God was going to send His Son to be born on the earth as a baby. That baby was going to grow up and establish His kingdom, a kingdom that would have no end.

Luke 1:46-55

⁴⁶ And Mary said:
“ My soul magnifies the Lord,
⁴⁷ And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior.
⁴⁸ For He has regarded the lowly state of His maidservant;
For behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed.
⁴⁹ For He who is mighty has done great things for me,
And holy is His name.
⁵⁰ And His mercy is on those who fear Him
From generation to generation.
⁵¹ He has shown strength with His arm;
He has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.
⁵² He has put down the mighty from their thrones,
And exalted the lowly.
⁵³ He has filled the hungry with good things,
And the rich He has sent away empty.
⁵⁴ He has helped His servant Israel,
In remembrance of His mercy,
⁵⁵ As He spoke to our fathers,
To Abraham and to his seed forever.”

Mary remembered the promises of God to Israel and to Abraham. Mary remembered how God had shown his mercy to generation after generation of her ancestors. Because of this, Mary obeyed God without hesitation and called herself the servant of the Lord.

Question:

• Which story do you remember that we have talked about where God kept His promise?


• Do you remember a time when God kept a promise to you or your parents?


• What did Mary say when Gabriel told her God’s plan?

Prayer: Dear God, help us to always remember your faithfulness to us. Thank you for giving your people hope.