First Sunday of Advent
Luke 1:26-38 NLT
In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a village in Galilee, to a virgin named Mary. She was engaged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of King David.  Gabriel appeared to her and said, “Greetings, favored woman! The Lord is with you!” Confused and disturbed, Mary tried to think what the angel could mean.  “Don’t be afraid, Mary,” the angel told her, “for you have found favor with God! You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus. He will be very great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David. And he will reign over Israel forever; his Kingdom will never end!” Mary asked the angel, “But how can this happen? I am a virgin.”  The angel replied, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So, the baby to be born will be holy, and he will be called the Son of God. What’s more, your relative Elizabeth has become pregnant in her old age! People used to say she was barren, but she has conceived a son and is now in her sixth month.  For the word of God will never fail.” Mary responded, “I am the Lord’s servant. May everything you have said about me come true.” And then the angel left her.
Mother of Messiah
(Tune: “Of the Father’s Love Begotten”)
Blessed virgin daughter, Mary,
Meek and humble, loving, kind,
Destined by the heavenly Father
To fulfill prophetic line.
Gabriel announced, “O favored one,
God in heaven has chosen you!
You will birth the Lord’s Messiah.”
O, the fear and great uncertainty
That took over Mary’s mind,
When the angel gave the message.
“How can this be at this time?”
Gabriel said, “Do not fear or worry;
This is God’s salvation plan,
Holy mother of Messiah.”
Gabriel continued, “He will be
Great, the Son of God Most High.
His will be the throne of David,
For He comes through David’s line.
He will reign over God’s chosen people,
All who place their faith in Him,
For He is the Lord’s Messiah.”
Servant of the Holy Spirit,
Mary yielded self to God;
Yielded will and understanding,
Yield heart and mind and body.
“May your words, O Gabriel, be lived through me.
May I honor God Most High,
Giving birth to His Messiah.”
Of the Father’s Love Begotten
https://youtu.be/CKVYE-RRyHg?si=DeCJjgazPDnuU7kM
If you have found this meditation helpful, take a moment and give thanks to God. Then share what you learned with a friend. This is how the grace of God spreads (2 Corinthians 4.15).
ONLINE ADVENT CALENDAR
Joy for every December day! This online Advent calendar provides Scripture and a devotional thought, a song, and sometimes a work of art to guide you into worship each day through the Advent season and into the celebration of Christmas. It runs for the entire month of December. Just click on the link and then click on the date.
https://www.ailbe.org/shepherds/shepherds-content/22-articles/2332-rusty-s-online-advent-calendar
