God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a city in Galilee. “The angel went to a virgin promised in marriage to a descendant of David named Joseph. The virgin’s name was Mary. When the angel entered her home, he greeted her and said, ‘You are favored by the Lord! The Lord is with you.’ She was startled by what the angel said and tried to figure out what this greeting meant” (Luke 1:27-29).
If an angel walked into this room during our devotion, you’d probably freak out. I mean, angels don’t just suddenly show up at our house and start talking to us, do they? Well, Gabriel did. Mary was a teenager—probably just a few years older than you—when Gabriel went into her house to tell her she was going to be the Savior’s mom.
You can probably understand why the Bible says Mary was “startled.” Her whole life, Mary knew that God would send a Savior—someday. She had no idea that she would be the one God would use to bring Jesus into the world.
Did Mary say, “No way! Get out! That’s weird! Thanks for the offer, but no”? Nope. She also didn’t say, “Well, I’m pretty awesome, so of course you’d pick me.” Instead, she said to the angel, “I am the Lord’s servant. Let everything you’ve said happen to me” (verse 38).
God used Mary to bring the Savior into the world. Now you get to tell the world about the Savior. The Lord is with you too.
Mary—the Lord’s servant—was God’s child, just like you are.
Chomp on this!
Read the whole story in Luke 1:26-56.
