In today’s episode, we will sit for a moment to meditate on two passages. the angel’s visit to both Mary and then to Joseph in a dream. Through these passages, we will consider our own courage to follow God in the unexpected.
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In Elizabeth’s sixth month of pregnancy with John the Baptist, the angel Gabriel visited Mary. This is where we drink in Scripture today.
Before I read, take a deep breath and prepare your heart to listen to God's word.
Come, Holy Spirit, come.
Luke 1:26–38
26 During Elizabeth’s sixth month of pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, 27 to a virgin. She was engaged to marry a man named Joseph from the family of David. Her name was Mary. 28 The angel came to her and said, “Greetings! The Lord has blessed you and is with you.”
29 But Mary was very startled by what the angel said and wondered what this greeting might mean.
30 The angel said to her, “Don’t be afraid, Mary; God has shown you his grace. 31 Listen! You will become pregnant and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of King David, his ancestor. 33 He will rule over the people of Jacob forever, and his kingdom will never end.”
34 Mary said to the angel, “How will this happen since I am a virgin?”
35 The angel said to Mary, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will cover you. For this reason the baby will be holy and will be called the Son of God. 36 Now Elizabeth, your relative, is also pregnant with a son though she is very old. Everyone thought she could not have a baby, but she has been pregnant for six months. 37 God can do anything!”
38 Mary said, “I am the servant of the Lord. Let this happen to me as you say!” Then the angel went away.
What did the Holy Spirit highlight for you from this passage? Dwell on that for a moment.
Matthew 1:18-25
18 This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about[d]: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. 19 Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet[e] did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.
20 But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus,[f] because he will save his people from their sins.”
22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: 23 “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel”[g] (which means “God with us”).
24 When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. 25 But he did not consummate their marriage until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus.
What did the Holy Spirit highlight for you from this passage? Dwell on that for a moment.
Both Mary and Joseph received unexpectant news. And both of them needed godly courage to follow the words of God from the angel rather than the probable opinion of others.
Do you ever struggle to follow God’s Word when it feels risky? Following the Lord sometimes takes great risk and bravery.
In what way do you need bravery this season to be faithful to God?
Pray about this or anything else the Spirit brings to mind.
Let's pray.
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In Jesus's name, amen.
Thank you for joining me today on the Well Soul podcast for our Christmas series in our story of the Gospel journey. Sign up for our daily Advent devotions. in less than 5 minutes a day, you can breathe in Scripture and dwell the Christmas story. I hope these emails help you experience the comfort and peace of the Christmas season.
In closing, I remember my late friend, Brian Vasquez, who made this podcast possible. God bless you, and I pray that you have a well soul.