The word Annunciation means "announcement." What meaningful announcements have you received? Have you been mailed a graduation announcement by a niece or nephew? Have you possibly received the announcement for a young couple's first baby? Both contain wonderful news, for sure. What if someone were to announce to you in advance that ultimately "the fullness of deity" would reside "in bodily form"? (Col 2:9) That is precisely what occurred two-thousand years ago when "the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin's name was Mary" (Lk 1:26-27).
Why would an archangel go to a rural town and visit a backcountry teenage girl? Gabriel said, "You shall conceive and bear a Son and give Him the name Jesus" (Lk 1:31), a name which means "He will save His people from their sins" (Mt 1:21). This is astoundingly good news! God the Father orchestrated this momentous event prior to the foundation of the world.
"When the designated time had come, God sent forth His Son born of a woman, born under the law, to deliver from the law those who were subjected to it, so that we might receive our status as adopted sons" (Gal 4:4-5). Spread the Good News, and shout it from the rooftops.
| PRAYER: | God, my Father, orchestrate my moments and my life as Your adopted child. |
| PROMISE: | "Therefore the Lord Himself will give you this sign: the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son." __Is 7:14 |
| PRAISE: | Glory and praise to You, Jesus, my Lord and God! (Jn 20:28) You became a human being to love us into heaven forever. Thank You, Jesus, Son of Man and Son of God! |
Reprinted with permission from Presentation Ministries, a lay association of the Catholic Church that focuses on evangelization and discipleship through Bible teaching, daily Mass, the charisms of the Holy Spirit, and Small Christian Community. Their ministries include:
· One Bread, One Body
· Daily Bread Radio Program
· Annual Bible Institute
· Discipleship Retreats
· Guadalupe Bible College