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

Gabriel was busy making trips from heaven to earth. First, Gabriel told Zechariah that his wife Elizabeth would be having a miracle baby. Now it was time to visit a virgin in Nazareth with some more unbelievable news.

 

Mary was young. Some believe she was only fourteen or fifteen years old. However, in her day, that was the normal age for marriage. Mary's pledge to Joseph was much like engagements today. She was committed to Joseph even though they were not formally united with the official ceremony of marriage. Imagine what Mary was doing when Gabriel suddenly appeared to her. Imagine Mary's thoughts when Gabriel exclaimed, "You are highly favored!"

 

God chose a small-town girl for a big-time mission. John Donne described it as "immensity cloistered in thy dear womb." Through Mary, the eternal God made his way into the temporal world. Indeed, the Lord was with her.

 

 

For parents: Have your children draw a picture of the angel Gabriel appearing to Mary. (If you don't have small children, share this devotional with someone who does.) Please share your children's artwork with us at ronmoore@ronmoore.org.