Advent Devotional 12.15.21

 

 

 

Wednesday, December 15, 2021

 

 

The Gift

All who heard the shepherds’ story were astonished but Mary quietly treasured these things in her heart and thought about them often.

Luke 2:18-19

 

The message that the shepherds heard was foretold to Mary by the angel Gabriel. His message to her was that ‘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. And his kingdom will never end! (Luke 1:32-33).

Until the angel announced the birth of the Christ Child to the shepherds, the world-at-large at that time was unaware of this marvelous gift. The shepherds who came to see Jesus were amazed and spread the news with great joy.

Mary was young and impressionable, but since Gabriel had assured Mary of the Lord’s plan, she had prepared herself for the implications that this sacred birth would mean. Her heart was open to God’s will, using her as the instrument to which his Son would enter the world.

Her ponderings were tender, knowing that the world would be changed forever.

 

Prayer

Dear Lord, give us the wisdom to receive your word as Mary did. Give us faith to recognize Your word, though we may not be visited by angels.

Amen

Donna Bidelman