Scripture to Read: Luke 1:26-45
Today we celebrate the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ. So, it’s appropriate to examine Luke 1 as Gabriel foretold to Mary about the birth of our Lord. Many theologians believe that Mary was only 13 or 14 years of age and Joseph was around 17 to 18 years of age when all of this happened. During Christ's time, the culture of the Jews was for young men to enter into manhood at age 13, so most young men were married by age 18. When we consider Mary and Joseph's ages, this would have been an incredibly tough story to share with their family and friends. But God was already working in Elizabeth, Mary’s cousin, for Elizabeth was six months pregnant with John the Baptist. When Mary showed up at Elizabeth and Zacharias' house, Mary called out to Elizabeth and when she heard Mary's greeting, John the Baptist leaped in Elizabeth's womb. For John the Baptist, still in Elizabeth's womb, to leap was an incredible sign from God that Mary was carrying the King of all kings. Often among Christians in America today, we will hear of those looking for a sign from God. God still performs miracles today, but we as Christians have so much more than what Mary and the other believers had in the time of Christ. God has given us His Holy Word, and God has also given us Himself through His Holy Spirit living in us. If we want to see God's miraculous work, we need to remember the miracle of new birth in Christ that each of us has.
Challenge & Application
1. What did God teach you today about His miraculous work in you through your new birth in Christ?
2. As you celebrate Christ, pray Colossians 4:3-4 for yourself to be able to share Christ with the people you are with today.
Don’t forget to pray using the A.C.T.S. (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication) method!