MONDAY 19th DECEMBER 1983

MARY IS CHOSEN

Reading:  Luke 1: 26-38    English - Valerie   Chinese - Margaret

Birth of Jesus Foretold
26  In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from 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; and the virgin's name was Mary.
28  And he came to her and said, "Hail, O favored one, the Lord is with you!"
29  But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and considered in her mind what sort of greeting this might be.
30  And the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.
31  And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus.
32  He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David,
33  and he will reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there will be no end."
34  And Mary said to the angel, "How shall this be, since I have no husband?"
35  And the angel said to her, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God.
36  And behold, your kinswoman Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son; and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren.
37  For with God nothing will be impossible."
38  And Mary said, "Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word." And the angel departed from her.

COMMENTARY - Elizabeth

The story of the birth of Jesus has been told so many times, and we have heard it so many times, that it is easy to overlook how amazing and wonderful the events actually were.

In some of our Christian traditions a special place has been reserved for Mary, the mother of Jesus.  It is clear that she was a remarkable woman, for God asked her to be part of something she could not understand.  She must have been confused, disturbed and frightened by these events, yet she allowed God to use her - so great was her trust in God.

Because of Mary's faith, God was able to do his greatest miracle.  He allowed himself to become human through the baby Jesus.  And Mary was the person who made it possible.

We have little idea of the plans God may have for us. He rarely sends his Angels to speak to us in the same way they spoke to Mary.  Yet God can do a mighty work through each one of us - if we have the faith to trust him.

NEWS

PRAYER (say together)

Heavenly Father, we thank you for the faithfulness of Mary. Help us to have even a little of that faith.
In Jesus' Name we pray. A-men