The Announcement

Announcements come every day. Some announcements are more significant than others. The are announcements about candidate running for office. Announcements on tour dates or albums releases. Announcements about any number of things. The announcement comes to get us either ready or excited about the upcoming event or plan.

We have gotten real creative these days we send out save the dates. We have reveal parties. We make post on social media platforms. An announcement can be a big thing! Or it can be of very little significance. I believe that there is still reason behind every announcement. The announcement creator is still trying to react a certain audience. This mornings announce still stands the greatest!

Can you appreciate this mornings announcement that came to Mary over 2000 years ago but was announced by the prophet Isaiah some 640 years before Gabrielle arrives on the scene in Galilee to announce it to Mary. 26 In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, 27 to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. And the virgin’s name was Mary. 28 And he came to her and said, “Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!” 29 But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be. 30 And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. 31 And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, 33 and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.”

34 And Mary said to the angel, “How will this be, since I am a virgin?”

35 And the angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy—the Son of God. (2016). (Lk 1:26–35).

Gabrielle comes and announces 5 things about Jesus 1. He will be Great, 2. He Will be called the Son of the Most High, 3. He will be given the throne of his father David, 4. He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, 5. His Kingdom shall never end.

Everyone of those statements are mind blowing!

How do you react to mind blowing news?

The announcement to Mary from the angel Gabriel surpasses the most incredible news we could ever imagine. Surely this announcement tested her faith but even test the faith of the world today. How could a virgin conceived a son by the Holy Spirit? Yet its here as a believer our belief system is tested.

If one is open to the possibility of God entering into history and being able to transcend the “laws of nature,” it is not difficult to believe that the God who raised his Son from the dead and empowered him to do many mighty miracles could have sent him into the world by the miracle of the virgin birth. Reading and believing the Gospel is a faith walk. Luke 1:37 sets the tone for the believer. Its says 37 For nothing will be impossible with God.” This word impossible means not able to occur, exist or be done.

God can do what ever he decides. He did the choosing of the mother of Jesus. The angel told Mary she had found favor with God. This is a lesson for us. God decides who he will bless! Now Mary had got notice.

How many know God can handle the impossible! Jesus said in Matthew 19:26 But Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” I am glad that we have a God that can do the impossible! Because I want some impossible blessing to come my way. How many know that no word from God will fail. This announcement couples with the announcement that Zachariah received.

Its brings hope to one who needs it.

Its in Mary response that we see why she was chosen. At this time Mary likely was no more than fifteen years old, probably closer to thirteen, which was the normal age for betrothal. Mary had been “graced” by God in that she had been chosen to bear God’s Son (1:31, 35). She had not been chosen for this task because she possessed a particular piety or holiness of life that merited this privilege. The text suggests no special worthiness on Mary’s part. This is hopeful for us today. She did not reach some level of holiness to become worthy of carrying the Lord. She grew to a level of worthiness.

In her song she regards herself as a humble servant. Yet she also understands the blessing of being one who fears the Lord. Can we share this with our teenager today. Your worthiness comes with proper fear of the Lord. Its not how much money you have, or what neighborhood you came from, what type of clothes you wear but recognizing the Lord is the Lord. He is the creator of the heavens and the earth. He is sovereign and God all by himself. There is none before him! The proverb 1:7 writer says The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction. The one the we must appreciation.

The angel brings Mary this surprising news. First he test her she is Highly Favored, translated (Full of Grace)and then that the Lord is with her. I don’t know about you but that’s something i love to hear The Lord is with you!

How many can appreciate that kind of news. The Lord is is with you!

Mary was troubled but he told he not to be afraid, You have found favor with the Lord.

Mary is told that she will conceive a son and you shall call him Jesus. WE know from Matthew that his name would be Jesus because he would save his people from their sins.

What are you believing God for today? Something only God can deliver. Don;t believe him for something you can do but believe him for something only he can do!

So what do we do with the announcement? As we are at the first Sunday of Advent. We do as Mary did we sing a song of praise. If we are to be the church God is looking for we have to respond to is grace with great praise. recognizing he is a God of Justice, God of Love, God of Grace, God of Mercy, A God that keeps His promises

Mary’s Song of Praise: The Magnificat

46 And Mary said,

“My soul magnifies the Lord,

47  and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,

48  for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant.

For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed;

49  for he who is mighty has done great things for me,

and holy is his name.

50  And his mercy is for those who fear him

from generation to generation.

51  He has shown strength with his arm;

he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts;

52  he has brought down the mighty from their thrones

and exalted those of humble estate;

53  he has filled the hungry with good things,

and the rich he has sent away empty.

54  He has helped his servant Israel,

in remembrance of his mercy,

55  as he spoke to our fathers,

to Abraham and to his offspring forever.”

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (Lk 1:46–55). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.