Luke 1:26-38

Christmas Story

Promise Of The Birth Of Jesus To Mary

27 to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the descendants of David; and the virgin's name was Mary.

28 And coming in, he said to her, "Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you."

29 But she was very perplexed at this statement, and kept pondering what kind of salutation this was.

30 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 name Him Jesus.

32 "He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David;

33 and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and His kingdom will have no end."

34 Mary said to the angel, "How can this be, since I am a virgin?"

35 The angel answered and said to her, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; and for that reason the holy Child shall be called the Son of God.

36 "And behold, even your relative Elizabeth has also conceived a son in her old age; and she who was called barren is now in her sixth month.

37 "For nothing will be impossible with God."

38 And Mary said, "Behold, the bondslave of the Lord; may it be done to me according to your word." And the angel departed from her.

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This is the Word of the Lord ... It is meant to change the way that we think, and the way that we live.

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Commentary by Bob Pardue

Mary Is Told About The Birth Of Jesus

Why Mary? God could have chosen anyone on earth to bear His son but He chose her. Why? We will never know all the reasons but I'm sure that one was her faithfulness and willingness to obey God in whatever task He asked of her.

We've seen this all through the Bible. God does not choose people according to their education, wealth, or status in the community. Many times it's just the opposite.

Mary was not a rich woman. In fact, she was a poor girl with no real prospects in life except that she was engaged to Joseph. Moses people of the day would have thought her unworthy to participate in anything concerning God. After all, those things were done by the priests, weren't they?

Do you ever feel unworthy to serve God or do a job because it is beyond your skills or mental capacity? I know I have! At times, we all feel that what God is asking us to do is just too big to handle!

Can We Limit The Power Of God?

When we feel Gods calling is too big, in reality we're saying that the job is too big for God. This puts a limit on Gods power! Throughout the Bible we have seen Him perform countless miracles, do "impossible" tasks and call ordinary people like Moses, David and Paul to change the world.

Is it not just as possible for God to use us in the same way? Don't limit what God can do. He can use you and I if we will show a little trust in Him. Mary did.

Love in Christ

- Bob

Luke 2:8-20 - Shepherds See the Angels