Blessed Are You!

Scripture                     Luke 1:26-45
Focus Verse                Luke 1:42, 45
“Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb … blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her by the Lord.”

Before she did anything else or told anyone else, Mary went on a journey (some sources say it took her around 9 days) to see her relative Elizabeth, whom the Angel had told her was pregnant in her “old” age.  Mary needed to see the truth of the miracle of Elizabeth’s pregnancy.  It isn’t unusual to say yes, then wonder what we’ve gotten ourselves into.

The greeting Mary receives does not disappoint, blessed 3 times she was! The word blessing means “having received something of value from someone as a sign of the respect or grace they feel toward you.”  Once again, we see how God must have loved and trusted Mary to have called her to such a bittersweet task … the joy of motherhood but the angst of suffering!  Well, that is the journey of every parent!

Reflection: Who showers you with blessings during difficult times in your life?  Who affirms God’s hand in your life?  How does that strengthen you for your continuing journey?

If music is a pathway for you, here is a lovely little arrangement called, "Blessed are you among Women" by StillSong. 

Prayer: Breathing “The Jesus Prayer”         
Breathing in … Lord Jesus Christ
Breathing out … Have mercy
*pray by breathing this prayer repetitively until the prayer prays you. You’ll know the prayer is praying you when the words come to you at random times in random places.  You will simply feel the words on your lips, in sync with your breathing.  And you have begun the process of praying unceasingly through the power of the Holy Spirit! For more information about praying The Jesus Prayer, an ancient prayer form from the days of early Christian History, practiced by the Desert Mothers and Fathers, take this LINK ...

Here I am

Scripture                     Luke 1:26-45, Isaiah 6:8
Focus Verse                Luke 1:38
Mary said, “Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.”

It is hard to imagine that thirteen-year-old Mary would have understood just what God was asking of her through the angel Gabriel.  Perhaps it takes someone so young and full of faith to respond so decisively to such a dangerous request.

The danger came from several different directions:  the danger inherent in giving birth at her age and in the historical time frame, the danger of revealing her pregnancy to the man she was engaged to and to her Jewish community, the danger of bearing the Messiah in the Roman Empire at the time of King Herod, a cruel and murderous man.

And yet, Like Isaiah the prophet long before, faithful young Mary cried out, “Here I am!”  These words are often spoken, even in the face of great danger or hardship, by those who feel strengthened by God to answer a special call upon their lives.

Reflection: Have you ever felt called for a purpose?  How did you feel?  How did you respond?  How did you see God move?

If music is a spiritual pathway for you, here is a link to a YouTube video.  Take a pause and listen to Jacque Darragh sing, "Do you Remember."  Jacque is a local artist who sings a story like no one else.  This song embodies the answer to God's call upon our lives throughout time, from Isaiah to Mary to each one of us!

Prayer: Breathing “The Jesus Prayer”        
Breathing in … Lord Jesus Christ
Breathing out … Have mercy
*pray by breathing this prayer repetitively until the prayer prays you. You’ll know the prayer is praying you when the words come to you at random times in random places.  You will simply feel the words on your lips, in sync with your breathing.  And you have begun the process of praying unceasingly through the power of the Holy Spirit! For more information about praying The Jesus Prayer, an ancient prayer form from the days of early Christian History, practiced by the Desert Mothers and Fathers, take this LINK ...

A Sign

Scripture                     Luke 1:26-45, Isaiah7:10-14
Focus Verse                Isaiah 7:14
Therefore, the Lord himself will give you a sign. Look, the young woman is with child and shall bear a son and shall name him Immanuel.

The name Immanuel means, “God with us.”  Isaiah was given this prophecy in a very difficult time during the reign of Ahaz.  The people were discouraged and felt they had been abandoned by God.  It is not an unusual feeling when life gets tough and we need to hear and to trust that God IS with us.

Although Isaiah’s words were given for a different reason in a different time and have been a sign of God’s presence in the Jewish community throughout Jewish history, Christians have seen Isaiah’s words as a sign foreshadowing the birth of Jesus to the virgin Mary.

Reflection: Have you ever felt that God had abandoned you?  Have you ever asked for a sign from God because you needed to know that God was still with you?  What happened?  How did your experience challenge or affirm your faith in God and God’s promises?

If music is a spiritual pathway for you, take this link to YouTube and pause for a moment to listen to Francesca Battistelli sing "O Come O Come Emmanuel."

Prayer: Breathing “The Jesus Prayer”        
Breathing in … Lord Jesus Christ
Breathing out … Have mercy
*pray by breathing this prayer repetitively until the prayer prays you. You’ll know the prayer is praying you when the words come to you at random times in random places.  You will simply feel the words on your lips, in sync with your breathing.  And you have begun the process of praying unceasingly through the power of the Holy Spirit! For more information about praying The Jesus Prayer, an ancient prayer form from the days of early Christian History, practiced by the Desert Mothers and Fathers, take this LINK ...

The Message

Scripture                     Luke 1:26-45, Hebrews 13:2
Focus Verse                Luke 1:30-31
The angel Gabriel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus.”

Whenever an Angel appears with a message from God, people generally respond with both fear and awe.  And then the Angel speaks.  The fear and the awe deepen.  I’m not sure that changes much when the Angel says, “Do not be afraid.”

Mary, who was probably a mature 13 years old, was “perplexed” by the Angel’s initial greeting which included, twice, letting her know that she had found “favor” with God.  Many sources translate favor as “full of grace.”  Perplexed seems an understatement to the suggestion that one, as a virgin, might give birth to the “literal” son of God.

Reflection:  What does it mean to you for someone to be “full of grace”?  How might Mary have felt after finding out exactly what God wanted from her especially with the talk of suffering to come.  Have you ever had an experience of God that mystified you and yet filled you with fear, too?  How did you move beyond your fear to embrace the grace offered to you?

If music is a spiritual pathway for you, pause for a moment and take this link for a YouTube video to listen to "Fear Not Mary" from the ARISE! Choral/Orchestral Production, Composer: Bryan L Pullman.

Prayer: Breathing “The Jesus Prayer”        
Breathing in … Lord Jesus Christ
Breathing out … Have mercy
*pray by breathing this prayer repetitively until the prayer prays you. You’ll know the prayer is praying you when the words come to you at random times in random places.  You will simply feel the words on your lips, in sync with your breathing.  And you have begun the process of praying unceasingly through the power of the Holy Spirit! For more information about praying The Jesus Prayer, an ancient prayer form from the days of early Christian History, practiced by the Desert Mothers and Fathers, take this LINK ... http://www.m-sfm.org/the-jesus-prayer.html