Monday 10th December

In the sixth month, God sent the Angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendent of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. Luke 1:26 – 27

The Bible describes Mary as “greatly troubled at his words” and she “wondered what kind of greeting this might be.”

We can only imagine how Mary must have felt at that time, somewhat unnerved, to say the least I should think! If one of us was to receive such a visit today I wonder, what would our reaction be? Stunned, awestruck, overwhelmed? You probably have your own words to match your thoughts.

But having listened to the Angel’s message, and bearing in mind her situation at that time, she could well have answered something along the lines of “Sorry, but I am a virgin, betrothed to be married. I can’t have a child just yet. This is not a convenient time for me, perhaps we could consider something in a few months. Or would you like to find somebody else? Thanks for the offer, but no thanks.”

Instead, we are told, she replied “I am the Lord’s servant…may it be to me as you have said.” Luke1:38

If one of us were called upon by God, in whatever manner He chose, to carry out some task that didn’t fit in with our own plans, would we be prepared to say the same and put our own lives to one side to do His bidding? Or would we question how we were going to fit it in with our own plans? Or even say “Sorry, I don’t do that.”

Let us pray that should we be chosen, that we will be ready to do God’s bidding without question, for with the Lord nothing is impossible. And let us take hold of the mission for which we have all been chosen – to fulfil the great commission.

Yours because His