Christmas Advent Devotional Day 18: Rejoicing in His Presence

 

 

Luke 1:26-28

 

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!”

 

To truly understand any concept in the Bible, you must compare all of the passages in Scripture that pertain to that event. The birth of Christ is no different. Several of the gospel writers captured part His birth story. Their accounts are as different as the men that wrote them, but there are key similarities in each. Together they form a comprehensive account.  Eyewitness testimony always has some variance, depending on what aspect the writer notices and finds important to record. We will look at them all to make sure we do not miss a single, glorious detail!

In verse 26, Luke tells us several important things.  First, he points out the time that the angel appeared. It was in the 6^th month. Second, he tells us who the angel is- Gabriel. Third, he points out that God was the one giving this assignment to Gabriel. And finally, he tells us that he was sent to a specific city in Galilee - Nazareth.  (All of this in a single verse!) Before you think this last fact inconsequential, note:

 

“And he came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, “He shall be called a Nazarene.” Matt. 2:23 (NKJV)

 

Matthew does not name a specific prophet, rather he summarizes several prophets that had predicted that Jesus would be a Nazarene.

Verse 27 supplies us with the names of the couple who would be inherent to the birth story and explains their relationship with each other. He also includes Joseph’s connection to the line of David.  (All of this we have covered in previous devotions.)

Verse 28 indicates that Gabriel appeared to Mary alone to give her guidance about soon coming events. The first thing Mary is told to do is rejoice.  This was probably surprising to her.  The Jews had been through 400 years of silence from God.  They had been overtaken by Roman rule and authority.  There was little of the Abrahamic covenant blessing remaining for her to rejoice in- but that was about to change! 

We know little about Mary other than that she was an engaged virgin.  But something in her character had caused her to find favor with the Almighty.  She was highly favored, to be exact. Then Gabriel tells her the glorious news that God was with her!  Yes, at that moment an angel was talking to her, but this went beyond that!  His dwelling with her was going to start that moment and continue until she was ushered into heaven.  The first person to have that level of presence.  God was with her.  But he would also dwell within her!

Gabriel further gives her the superlative that she is blessed among women.  Her status was elevated from that of a regular woman.  She was not supernatural.  Other women had pleased God before her and others would again after her.  But out of all the women ever to exist, she received this singular blessing!  She would carry the Messiah in her womb.  She would nurture her own Savior.  She would deliver the Deliverer.  Hers would be an incredibly blessed life- but make no mistake, she would not live a trouble-free existence.  On the contrary, her blessed state would result in a multitude of hardships and persecutions.  But today, standing in Gabriel’s presence, it was all glory!

Lord, we thank you today for being a specific God.  One who was foretold in too many specific ways to be denied by those willing to see truth.  Thank you that you not only lowered yourself to become a man, but that you allowed the first person to carry your presence to be a woman. Thank you, Lord for coming!!! Amen.