God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin's name was Mary. The angel went to her and said, "Greetings, you who are highly favored! The
Lord is with you."
Wow! Such a familiar sentence, often mentioned this time of year, yet packed with emotion and significance. An angel - literally a messenger sent from God - comes to Nazareth to visit and speak with a young woman engaged to be married. Before the history-shattering news is announced, she is given one key reminder that will be truer than she could imagine and more important than we can fully comprehend. The angel told her,
"The Lord is with you." And because he was, and because she accepted the mystery and burden of carrying
"The Lord" within her, we can know that "The Lord is with" us (Romans 8:31, 38-39).My request, O God, I've sung many times: "Be with me, Lord, I cannot live without Thee. I dare not try to take one step alone."* Father, I need your abiding presence to face the challenges of life. As you have upheld your children through the ages, and were with Mary as she accepted her role in your plan, I am thankful to greet each day knowing that I will not face it alone because you are with me. In Jesus' name, I thank you and choose to live for you. Amen.
* From the old hymn, "
Be with Me Lord" by Thomas O. Chisolm.
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