"Brief Devotions For Busy Lives" By Rev. Dr. Mary B. Johnson: Luke 1:35-40

 December 6

​"And the angel said to Mary, '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. 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. For with God nothing will be impossible.' 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. In those days Mary arose and went with haste into the hill country, to a city of Judah, and she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth." -Luke 1:35-40 (RSV)

​Mary must have been terrified by the angel's message she would become pregnant even though unwed. She certainly faced an impossible situation but showed wisdom in hastily leaving Nazareth. She knew Jewish Law mandated terrible punishment for apparent adulterous behavior or giving birth unwed. Yet she bravely accepted her dangerous mission and replied to the angel "I am the Lord's servant" or "so be it" in modern English. Then Mary wisely fled to her Uncle Zechariah and Aunt Elizabeth's home far away in the Judean mountains for refuge. So it is we find on that first Advent thousands of years ago, these two brave women were confronted by choices of believing God's promises in terrifying circumstances or giving up in fear. Elizabeth risked death by giving birth for the first time as a very old woman. Mary risked death by the possibility of giving birth outside the marriage bond and being considered adulterous by her fiancé Joseph. There is no doubt potentially devastating circumstances surrounded them. What would they do? What would we do in similar circumstances? What would you do? They chose obedient faith. Although their mission was not easy, it became triumphant. Their potential reaction of cowardliness was removed by confidence in God. With God, their fear was transformed to faith as can any of your fears this Advent. Look to God with confidence! You are precious in his eyes and beloved.

Prayer: God, Grant me Mary's wisdom in danger. Amen.

​Meditation For The Day: God removes fears and tears.

​Brief Devotions For Busy Lives: Daily Winter Renewal Paperback – November 25, 2017, by Rev. Dr. Mary Johnson (Author)