Christmas with Compassion - Day 08
Day 08 - Wednesday, December 13
Read Luke 1:26-38
Highlight
It would be impossible to overestimate how transformative this encounter with the angel Gabriel is for Mary. Luke takes the time to point out yet again the fulfillment of prophecy here. Mary is from Nazareth, a place in Galilee which is the same region as Bethlehem where the Messiah is prophesied to be born (Micah 5:2). She is engaged to be married to Joseph, a descendant of David, whose royal line was to produce the Messiah. But Luke is also pointing out that Mary is an unlikely character. She’s an unknown, young girl from an inconsequential village, and no one is more surprised than Mary that God has chosen her for this monumental task.
Of course it’s not just that Mary is going to carry the Messiah, she must also brace for the challenges in front of her. She is engaged to be married and now she has to figure out how to tell her fiance that she’s pregnant…miraculously. She knows she won’t be believed. She knows she faces shame, even danger, if this news gets out. Notice she’s not silenced like Zachariah for asking how this can be. She is understandably shocked and afraid, but she’s obedient. She puts her trust in the Lord and bravely embraces her assignment.
What has God asked of you? You may not have been visited by an angel, but the Lord has given you a role in His Kingdom. What challenges are in front of you that make it difficult to be obedient? How will you choose to respond?
Reflection & Prayer
For this reading plan we will be using a tool to guide our study of Scripture that’s called the S.O.A.P. Method. It stands for Scripture, Observation, Application, and Prayer. We recommend you use a journal with this method and write out your thoughts on each of these areas for each day of reading. It doesn’t have to be long-winded and you don’t need a fancy journal. But for anyone that has not journaled before, the benefit is that it often helps us focus and avoid distractions during prayer and Bible study.
S.O.A.P. Method
Scripture - Pick a verse or two that stood out to you and write it in your journal. Be looking for a “Holy Spirit Highlight.” What did you read and think “I needed to hear that” or felt like it was written just for you?
Observation - Now write some observations about the verse(s) or passage. What is this passage or verse saying? About God? About people? How is Jesus revealed in these verses?
Application - Now write a few sentences on how this passage applies to your life. Is there truth about God that you are to believe? A promise to receive? Is the Holy Spirit convicting you of something you need to do or stop doing in light of God’s truth?
Prayer - Now write out a prayer to God in response to this Scripture. This is a way to turn God’s Word to you back to Him. Be honest and express your heart to Him. God always listens and He delights in your prayers. (Psalm 34:15; Proverbs 15:8)
Read Luke 1:26-38
Highlight
It would be impossible to overestimate how transformative this encounter with the angel Gabriel is for Mary. Luke takes the time to point out yet again the fulfillment of prophecy here. Mary is from Nazareth, a place in Galilee which is the same region as Bethlehem where the Messiah is prophesied to be born (Micah 5:2). She is engaged to be married to Joseph, a descendant of David, whose royal line was to produce the Messiah. But Luke is also pointing out that Mary is an unlikely character. She’s an unknown, young girl from an inconsequential village, and no one is more surprised than Mary that God has chosen her for this monumental task.
Of course it’s not just that Mary is going to carry the Messiah, she must also brace for the challenges in front of her. She is engaged to be married and now she has to figure out how to tell her fiance that she’s pregnant…miraculously. She knows she won’t be believed. She knows she faces shame, even danger, if this news gets out. Notice she’s not silenced like Zachariah for asking how this can be. She is understandably shocked and afraid, but she’s obedient. She puts her trust in the Lord and bravely embraces her assignment.
What has God asked of you? You may not have been visited by an angel, but the Lord has given you a role in His Kingdom. What challenges are in front of you that make it difficult to be obedient? How will you choose to respond?
Reflection & Prayer
For this reading plan we will be using a tool to guide our study of Scripture that’s called the S.O.A.P. Method. It stands for Scripture, Observation, Application, and Prayer. We recommend you use a journal with this method and write out your thoughts on each of these areas for each day of reading. It doesn’t have to be long-winded and you don’t need a fancy journal. But for anyone that has not journaled before, the benefit is that it often helps us focus and avoid distractions during prayer and Bible study.
S.O.A.P. Method
Scripture - Pick a verse or two that stood out to you and write it in your journal. Be looking for a “Holy Spirit Highlight.” What did you read and think “I needed to hear that” or felt like it was written just for you?
Observation - Now write some observations about the verse(s) or passage. What is this passage or verse saying? About God? About people? How is Jesus revealed in these verses?
Application - Now write a few sentences on how this passage applies to your life. Is there truth about God that you are to believe? A promise to receive? Is the Holy Spirit convicting you of something you need to do or stop doing in light of God’s truth?
Prayer - Now write out a prayer to God in response to this Scripture. This is a way to turn God’s Word to you back to Him. Be honest and express your heart to Him. God always listens and He delights in your prayers. (Psalm 34:15; Proverbs 15:8)
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