MONDAY December 9, 2024
A Greater Miracle
Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. And having come in, the angel said to her, “Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women!”
Luke 1:26-28
Elizabeth, the wife of Zacharias, was already six months pregnant. God as Creator, created new life in the womb of a woman who was past the age of bearing a child. Now a greater miracle was about to happen. The angel Gabriel was once again sent by God to give a message, this time to a virgin. She lived in Nazareth, an insignificant, little town in Galilee. She was betrothed––pledged to be married––to a godly, young man named Joseph.
Mary was highly favored and blessed among women. Why? Among all women, she had been chosen to carry in her womb the Messiah. She had good reason to rejoice. Although Mary could not comprehend what was about to happen to her, she was a young woman who knew and trusted the Lord. Everything was about to fall into place; she would soon come to understand the tremendous plan God had for her life.
The message of the angel would be in accordance with the prophecies recorded in the Old Testament Scriptures. The time had come for their fulfillment. Mary knew these age-old Scriptures and the hope of Christ, the Messiah, who would come and rescue them.
This moment in time would be life-changing for Mary, but it would also be life-changing for us. You see, the greater miracle is that God can change the human heart. Mankind has been given a second chance, an opportunity for redemption––for salvation. No one is past saving. No one is past the hope that Christmas brings.
Christmas celebrates the greatest event in the history of the human race: the night God stooped down from heaven and became a human being––Jesus Christ.
~Billy Graham~
For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!
