Episode 406

TODAY’S READING:

26 In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, 27 to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. 28 The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.”

29 Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. 30 But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. 31 You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, 33, and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.”

Luke 1:26-33

 

Jesus, a name given to Mary and Joseph at the very beginning. I just wanted to take some time this week to acknowledge the Christmas story. We will continue our studies of His different names, and I wanted to read today on where the name Jesus came from and how it was decided to give him that name.

 

The name above all other names.

 

I can’t help but to try and put myself in Mary’s shoes when I read the birth story. How scared would I have been at that moment? What would have I said? It’s funny because when I was a little girl, I used to pray to be Mary. I wanted the Lord to find favor in me.

 

As I grew older and ran from and back to my faith, I realized I was not Mary, but I tried to see why I wanted that to begin with? I think it’s because I wanted God to have favor in me.

 

The best part about my growing relationship with Christ is that I found out “birthing the son of God” isn’t the only prerequisite to finding favor. I have found if we simply only the call on your life, you will find that the favor of God surrounds you.

 

So let us be faithful today. Let us be obedient to where God has called us. Let us see His favor work in our lives.

 

PRAYER

Father God, we thank you, and we love you. Lord, today we pray to be obedient to the call of our life. Lord, open the doors, make the conversations happen. Lord, we love you with everything, and we ask that you bless this Christmas week. It is all about you, Lord. We pray this all in Jesus’ name, AMEN!