Luke 1:56 Mary stayed with Elizabeth for about three months and then returned home.
 
THIS verse always stops me in my “tracks” so to speak. I know, it doesn’t sound like much, but it is very much.
     At Zechariah’s and Elizabeth’s home Mary is in a very safe place. Elizabeth totally understands sudden, miraculous pregnancy Mary is experiencing. The same thing has happened to Elizabeth! Zechariah, too, knows as Mary does what it is like to hear from and speak to an angel. They understand! Mary’s growing tummy is not a threat to them. The faithful couple and the faithful virgin are walking the same road with their God. They are certainly finding comfort, strength and assurance in each other.
     But when she goes home, this changes for Mary. The whispers will start and grow to shouts of condemnation. Questions will be asked. “Who is the father of your baby? Why have you disgraced your family in such a way?” Of course, she can only answer with the truth, but certainly no one will believe her. Why not just stay with Elizabeth?
     Why not? Sounds good, but it won’t be good. That’s not what God wants her to do. Mary has to go home to marry Joseph.
     Here is one of the first steps of faith the virgin mother of our Lord takes. She can stay with what she knows in comfort. Or she can step forward into God’s plan for her life.
     How will she have the strength to go down that road of uncertainty? How will she trust God? He has given her a mission but not a clear picture of everything she would encounter and endure. In truth, she needs that humility she mentioned earlier to believe God is in control of her life.
     You need it, too. God loves you. And he wants you to grow deeper in love with him. To do so, you need to let go of your fears and “comfort” to come to trust God as you journey down paths of uncertainty with God leading the way.
     You may “like” where you are—even if it’s harmful to you because you know the place. In a way, it’s safe for you. But God wants you to let go of yourself and hold on to him. That’s where Mary is going—down the pathway with God because he has called her. Yes, this is moment, indeed, is “very much”.
 
Prayer: Thank you, Lord God, for calling me, for leading me and for drawing me closer to you. In Jesus’ saving grace I pray, amen.

Luke 1:51 He has performed mighty deeds with his arm; he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts. 52 He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble. 53 He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty. 54 He has helped his servant Israel, remembering to be merciful 55 to Abraham and his descendants forever, even as he said to our fathers.
 
GOD has a big arm, doesn’t he? I checked through the Old Testament and found a number of references to “outstretched arm”. Each time the phrase demonstrated God’s power to deliver his people from harm.
     This reminds me of a loving parent who reaches out to protect a child from a car coming down the street, from falling off a bicycle or from the pain of someone’s hurtful words. God’s “outstretched arm” protected his people and delivered them into the Promised Land of safety and abundance.
     If you are feeling weak or not very important, please know that God’s outstretched arm is ready to embrace you, protect you and fill you with his goodness. God’s mighty power is at the ready to care for you when you humbly go to him and tell him, “Forgive my pride, Father God. I am weak in my ways, and I know you are my strength. Embrace me with your outstretched arm, Father. Fill me with your strength that I may rest and rejoice in you.”
     As we leave Mary’s praise to the Father, I encourage you to take some time to speak or write your own praise to God. Speak to him of your needs. Proclaim to him your love for him. Celebrate the ways he has cared for you in your life. Praise him for the ways he will stretch his arm around you now and forever.
    
Prayer: Heavenly Father, I lift up my arms to receive yours around me. Hold me close. Thank you for never letting me go. Amen.

Luke 1:50 His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation.
 
“MERCY” and “fear” don’t seem right together, do they? Wouldn’t it make more sense if Mary had said, “His mercy extends to those who love him”? How does mercy extend to those who fear God?
     Here’s one example: Did you ever refuse to do something your dad wanted you to do with him? Did he walk away thinking, “My child does not honor me.” Did you walk away satisfied you got your point across? Perhaps you said to yourself, “I won that one.”
     But you didn’t. Oh, you may think you did. You got your way, but your self-focused melted away a part of your relationship with your father. You showed no respect and honor, no “fear” for his authority and position as head of your family. You lived opposing your dad; yet, you still believed he would help you regardless of your disrespect.
     This type of relationship with your father continued for years. You obeyed him on your terms. You might have even told your dad, “I love you. I honor you.” But you didn’t act that way. Even so, your dad was merciful to house you, to clothe you , to feed you, to instruct you and even still to love you. Then one day a crisis came, and you needed your dad’s help. “Dad, can I have some money to fix my car?” But his response surprised you. “No, my child. You have rejected me too many times. You have no fear of my authority over you, no respect when I ask for your obedience. You will have to solve your problem on your own.”
     Dad is out of mercy for you, his wayward child. He asked repeatedly for you to obey him. But you said, “When it suits me.” This is what happened repeatedly with the Jews as God called them to obey. Mercifully, he gave them countless ways to worship, respect and obey him. He taught them of his justice, but they always thought, “We’ll do as we please. God will take care of us when we really need him.” Ultimately though, as the Jews continued to dismiss God’s authority, he removed himself from their presence. Without God’s mercy, they suffered horribly.
     In his justice God will condemn our sin. Fear his justice and remember that in his mercy, God has sent a Savior.  Yes, fear God. He is absolute over your life. Prefer your own way, and he will send you away from his presence. Prefer Jesus, the Way, and the Lord God will be merciful to draw you near to him forever.
 
Prayer: Father in Heaven, you are just and true. As I call you today, “Lord and Savior”, I rejoice that your “mercy extends to those who fear you, from generation to generation.”

Luke 1:46-49 And Mary said: “My soul glorifies the Lord 47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, 48 for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, 49 for the Mighty One has done great things for me — holy is his name.”
 
MARY has heard the message. She has time to consider her assignment. Elizabeth assures Mary in her glorious task. Hearing God’s will for her life, understanding Elizabeth’s assurance, Mary then responds in the way we all must do as we recognize God’s gracious love and eternal life he has given to us. Mary praises God from her heart and soul.
     Mary’s statement “for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant.” is a heart-based worshipful response to God. She fully understood that she does not deserve this great blessing to be the mother of the Savior. What has happened to her is not because she was good or special, but because God had chosen her. Mary understood the Sovereign Lord is at work in her particular life to do his eternal, universal work. This is why he’s saved, you, too. This is all about God come to you for his eternal will.
     As we hear Mary’s words of praise ring down through the ages, we can only consider our own approach to God. Do we go to him looking for what we don’t have? Or do we go to him thankful for him? Recently I was at home one afternoon when our daughter unexpectedly came to see me. As I greeted her at the door, she said nothing but came to me, hugged me and said, “I am thankful you are here. I love you, daddy.” This is a moment I will take with me to the day I meet Jesus personally. You see, our daughter had just been with a good friend who had suddenly lost her father. Her friend can no longer tell her dad, “I’m thankful you are here. I love you, daddy.”
     Oh, how your view of God would expand if you see him through eyes that said, “I just want to be with you. I want to let you know I love you. I want to hold you and feel you hold me.” Isn’t that what prayer should be? Isn’t that what Mary was doing here? What love she expresses to her Father in Heaven, “For the Mighty One has done great things for me — holy is his name.” Should you not joyfully go to prayer with such love? Think of how you get to approach God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit because he has chosen to be your Father forever. He has rescued you from your sin, from your selfish desires, from your despair and spiritual hunger. The Spirit of the Father has turned your eyes to his great, sweet grace. We call his grace, “Jesus”. He is your Savior for right now, this very instant. He is your Savior throughout eternity. Stop and go to his door. Knock on God’s door and tell him, “for the Mighty One has done great things for me — holy is his name.”
 
 
Prayer: Father, Spirit and Son, I love you for who you are. Turn my heart to rejoice in my relationship with you. In Jesus’ name, the Father’s grace and the Spirit’s power, amen.

Luke 1:39-45 At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea, 40 where she entered Zechariah's home and greeted Elizabeth. 41 When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. 42 In a loud voice she exclaimed: “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear! 43 But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 44 As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. 45 Blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished!”
 
MARY is prepared to bear the Messiah. As Gabriel steps away, Mary steps into life. What might happen next? If she is as we are, her boldness and submission might turn back to the realities that face her. Fears and doubts likely could have welled up in her again. Now that the angel had left her, where would Mary find encouragement?
     Mary thought, “I need to talk to someone. Who better than Elizabeth?” After all, Gabriel had told Mary that her barren cousin Elizabeth was pregnant in her old age. So Mary goes. And here we see how God affirms the chosen virgin. See how Mary finds in Elizabeth a joy in the Lord. Elizabeth overflows with excitement and praise for God’s great work. She is one of those contagious personalities who exudes God’s grace and love. Through Elizabeth, Mary is encouraged and strengthened in her walk into God’s “impossible” task.
     Oh, there are so many ways we can feel fearful, weak and alone as we walk with God. He gives us big goals, but then little results occur. We pray for change in our church, but the chairs and pews stay empty. The world cries out for meaning, but too few will submit their lives to live into such encouraging words as Psalms 1:1-2 Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. 2 But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night.  
     Yes, it’s true. Much is against you if you say to God, “May it be to me as you have said.” (Luke 1:38) Our own nature says, “Don’t go.” And the culture says, “Look after yourself first.” But as you desire to serve your Lord God, remember and be encouraged in Zechariah’s and Elizabeth’s’ story. Be affirmed in Mary’s and Joseph’s story. Above all, celebrate and be encouraged in God’s story! He has chosen to save you!
     Our God gives to his servants many people to help them fulfill their mission. Listen to good teachers and friends who will share God’s Word with you. Join with others to celebrate God’s love and grace over you. As Mary went to Elizabeth, you can go to peers, mentors, pastors and teachers. Today, too, we have a bounty of resources to see, hear and read of people who struggled, persevered and triumphed as Kingdom servants.
     Do you need help to stay with God? Then go to people whom God has placed in your life. You are never alone in the Kingdom of God. Fellowship with others. Live in peace and joy in God’s purpose.
 
Prayer: I seek you, Lord, with anticipation and joy. Thank you for the magnificent life you have purposed for me. May I find encouragement in like-minded people. May I be an encouragement to others. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.

Luke 1:38 “I am the Lord's servant,” Mary answered. “May it be to me as you have said.” Then the angel left her.
 
DO you find it easy or difficult to say to God, “May it be to me as you have said.” Perhaps it is easy to say them with our lips. Likely these words are more difficult to speak from our heart.
     To be a servant means we are ready to do without question or reservation the Master’s bidding at any moment. But often when we feel God leading us, even pointedly directing us to some work or some person, we might ask, “Why me, Father? Are you sure, Lord? Can this wait a few days? Maybe I could go in a few years. Are you sure you have the right person, God? Can I get back to you?”
     Mary faced, as we have seen, an impossible task. As a pregnant virgin (unmarried woman), she knew she would face accusation, criticism and separation. Joseph would certainly leave her. Her family could reject her. Extreme uncertainty and difficulties lay ahead. There could be a trial and a decree of death by stoning because of her perceived sin of sexual impurity. This was God’s own law as stated in Deuteronomy 22:20-22.
     But Mary goes anyway because the God, who made the law has promised the impossible will happen. She has a servant’s heart for God. And thus, Mary spoke her heart response to God. Prepared in the Lord’s sovereign grace and power, Mary is ready for this enormous task. She is prepared emotionally and spiritually to live full out as God’s designated Kingdom servant.  
     See in Mary an expression of a humble, faithful and loving heart. Mary is a good model to use when we hear God’s voice call us to his “impossible” purposes for our lives. To grow in our faith, we must often pray with a heart that says, “I am the Lord’s servant. May it be to me as you have said.”
 
Prayer: May it be to me as you have said, Lord. I open my heart to serve you. In the Spirit’s power and faith, amen.

Luke 1:34-37 “How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?” 35 The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. 36 Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be barren is in her sixth month. 37 For nothing is impossible with God.”
 
“HOW will this be?” Mary wondered. Do you ever think, “How did she say this?” Would she have spoken this compelling question with an attitude of “That’s impossible! No way can that happen.” Or would she have had a tone of expectation, “Wow! That sounds impossible, but I’m sure God has a way to make it happen. Tell me more.”
     Based on Gabriel’s response to her, I believe her attitude was as the latter. Certainly she did not understand how she a virgin would give birth to any baby let alone to the Son of God! But she was willing to hear the possibilities.
     Mary’s ears and heart were open to God’s guidance along an unknown path. The tone of the entire account here is that she was ready to go to a new place with God. In fact, she could have been eager to learn how the impossible words would happen.
     Mary must have had a great faith in God and a great love for God. She would have called him Yahweh. And she would have seen him as God the Provider, God the Creator, God the Law Giver and God the Freedom Giver. Mary must have known in her heart that God could and would do things beyond the natural laws he had established.
     That’s faith. Mary trusted God. She was assured “Nothing is impossible with God.” She took those words to heart. I pray that for you, too.
 
Prayer: When I look around and wonder, “How will this ever change, Lord?” I pray for faith to believe, “With God, nothing is impossible.” In the Spirit’s power I pray, amen.
 

Luke 1:31 You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus.
 
MARY is processing a good deal of information. An angel from God comes to her. She’s been addressed as “highly favored”. She is uncertain, wondering, “What’s going on here?” Her mind twirls in circles.
     Then she gets the core of Gabriel’s message. What she hears is the answer to what every Hebrew female likely had wondered, “Will it be me? Will I be the one to give birth to our Savior?” That’s what “Jesus” means: “Jesus” in Hebrew is pronounced “Ye shu a”. Another way to say it in English is Joshua. Jesus is the Greek form of Yeshua. The name means “Savior”. Gabriel, the angel, just told Mary she will give birth to the Savior. Think of this. I’m in awe the holy God would so personally interact with unholy mankind. I’ll bet Mary was, too.
     What would you do? I think about what it’s like when we receive really good news, especially if it’s the answer to a long-held question to release us from worry. There’s “warmth” of release. Our souls experience a cleansing, as a cool shower on a hot summer day. A good feeling flows inside us, as we sense the glow of God’s strong hand upon us. This evokes a, “Thank you, Father.”
     Mary is processing the information. She needs to know more about the task God has given her. But one thing she does know, God has indeed come to express his favor on her. She is truly “highly favored” to be Jesus’ personal human gateway into his creation. 
There is a pleasure in knowing God’s love is truly guiding your life. We’ll see how Mary knows much of God. She worships God. She expresses faith and expectation in his great power and purpose for his people. And now she is coming into a very, very close relationship with him. She will need God’s comforting hands many times in the future. The accusations from Joseph and family, the trip to Bethlehem, the flight to Egypt, the threats against her son as he debates the Pharisees, the cross and the tomb will bring great trial to this favored Jewish girl.
Still, she trusts and believes in her purposes. Mary understands our lives are not our own as God will use us to demonstrate his glory and salvation in the world.
 
Prayer: Lord God, you have created me. You have chosen me to be your child. I am yours. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Luke 1:31 You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus.
 
MARY is processing a good deal of information. An angel from God comes to her. She’s been addressed as “highly favored”. She is uncertain, wondering, “What’s going on here?” Her mind twirls in circles.
     Then she gets the core of Gabriel’s message. What she hears is the answer to what every Hebrew female likely had wondered, “Will it be me? Will I be the one to give birth to our Savior?” That’s what “Jesus” means: “Jesus” in Hebrew is pronounced “Ye shu a”. Another way to say it in English is Joshua. Jesus is the Greek form of Yeshua. The name means “Savior”. Gabriel, the angel, just told Mary she will give birth to the Savior. Think of this. I’m in awe the holy God would so personally interact with unholy mankind. I’ll bet Mary was, too.
     What would you do? I think about what it’s like when we receive really good news, especially if it’s the answer to a long-held question to release us from worry. There’s “warmth” of release. Our souls experience a cleansing, as a cool shower on a hot summer day. A good feeling flows inside us, as we sense the glow of God’s strong hand upon us. This evokes a, “Thank you, Father.”
     Mary is processing the information. She needs to know more about the task God has given her. But one thing she does know, God has indeed come to express his favor on her. She is truly “highly favored” to be Jesus’ personal human gateway into his creation. 
There is a pleasure in knowing God’s love is truly guiding your life. We’ll see how Mary knows much of God. She worships God. She expresses faith and expectation in his great power and purpose for his people. And now she is coming into a very, very close relationship with him. She will need God’s comforting hands many times in the future. The accusations from Joseph and family, the trip to Bethlehem, the flight to Egypt, the threats against her son as he debates the Pharisees, the cross and the tomb will bring great trial to this favored Jewish girl.
Still, she trusts and believes in her purposes. Mary understands our lives are not our own as God will use us to demonstrate his glory and salvation in the world.
 
Prayer: Lord God, you have created me. You have chosen me to be your child. I am yours. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Luke 1:26-28 “In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, 27 to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin's name was Mary. 28 The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.”
 
LUKE shifts the scene from the older Zechariah and Elizabeth to the young, “famous” Christmas couple. Hello, Joseph and Mary. Actually, Joseph’s still on the sidelines a bit. Mary becomes the main character. She’s the virgin.
     Oh my, this is a big deal. Mary’s virginity is a very big deal. This is so because in Genesis, right after Eve and Adam (another young “famous” couple) disobeyed God, God turned to them and said this to Satan: Genesis 3:15 I will put hatred between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel."  
     The Lord declared with these words that he would make the world right without sin again as he had created it. He would do so through the seed of a woman – not a woman and a man, but a woman only. God later reminded his now chosen people the Jews through Isaiah 7:14 “the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.” (“Immanuel” means “God come down”)
     Oh, yes. As Gabriel went to “a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David” he acted under God’s eternal plan of salvation. Here is the Lord’s next step to restore the world to perfection. He chose Mary, this teen-aged virgin Jewish girl to bear the Savior of the world. That’s why Gabriel could say to her, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.”  
     Here’s something I’d like you to know: You are as Mary. How is that? God, indeed, had a special purpose for highly favored Mary. And God has a special purpose for highly favored you.
     Do you think I’m crazy? I’m not. Nope. I’m just looking at God; I’m looking at the cross, and I’m looking at God’s Word. Everything God has done since the Garden of Eden has been for you. Yes, you are so highly favored God has moved history to save you. Immanuel came through the virgin to be your Savior. Immanuel came to free you from sin. God came down to point you up to Heaven. God entered into the earth to graciously give your life a purpose God ordained long, long, ago. Oh yes, my friend you are like Mary. As you confess Jesus as Lord of your life, God’s high favor lifts you up to the highest Heaven.
 
Prayer: Lord God, I am so very grateful and humbled to be saved in your choosing, to be so eternally favored. In Jesus’ name I give thanks. Amen.