Advent Devotions from Kenya – Gabriel’s Announcement

A HUMBLE SERVANT And Mary said, “Behold I am a servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to Your Word.” Luke 1:38
Imagine the anticipation and excitement building in the hearts of the people of God throughout the world during this Advent season. Advent means “coming;” in a few days Christmas will be here and once again we will celebrate the birth and first coming of Jesus Christ.
In today’s text we hear the angel announcing to Mary, “you will be with child and give birth to a Son and you are to give him the name Jesus” (v.31) the name Jesus means the Savior. Jesus was born of Virgin Mary, suffered and died on the cross to save us from our sins and to fulfill all that was prophesied of Him. He came to establish the throne of His father David and He is now King of Kings and Lord of Lords – ruler over the entire world.
The angel Gabriel announced Jesus’ birth to Mary who responds in faith. Through the announcement of the Gospel, the Lord likewise calls us to faith and to bear Christ not as our child, but as the Holy one of God – our Savior.
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Most merciful God, who hast given Your eternal Word to be made incarnate of the pure Virgin, grant unto Your people grace to put away fleshly lusts that so we may be ready for Your visitation; through the same Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, One God, now and forever.
There is an old saying, “like father, like son.” Here we see, “like Son, like mother.” Unlike her promised son, Mary knew she was not perfect, she saw herself as a sinner and unworthy of what the angel Gabriel had just announced to her. Yet, she submitted to the Lord’s will, trusted and followed the word of the Lord, and humbly confessed she was the Lord’s servant.
What does it mean to be a servant? We don’t have to look any further than to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ; “who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.” (Philippians 2:6 -8) What great love the sinless Jesus had for us sinners that He would leave His Heavenly throne for a manger, be despised, rejected, and die on the cross because it was His Father’s will. As God looked with favor on His servant Mary so He looked with favor on His Son’s humility and obedience and “for our sake made Him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.” (2 Corinthians 5:21)
As we ready ourselves, our families, and homes to celebrate anew the birth of Jesus Christ may we like Mary humble ourselves before God and in true obedience and faith trust His will and say with confidence, “Behold, I am a servant of the Lord; let your will be done according to Your word.”