3rd Day of Christmas

“But when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and considered what manner of greeting this was. Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end.”” -Luke‬ ‭1‬:‭29‬-‭33‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Katherine Johnson was a mathematician at NASA. Because her work was so precise, she was asked to work on the calculations to get to the moon. Despite the racial and gender barriers of the day, this announcement was made. Her commitment to the work is what made the mission successful. Even though she was afraid of something new, she committed to see what the end is going to be.

As we look at this announcement that the angel makes, it seems like this is good news. But for the vessel, her life is flipped upside down. She is a virgin who is engaged to be married, but now she is to bring forth the Savior of the world. This announcement is not only uncharted territory for Mary, it is also a declaration about who God chooses to use.

You have found favor with God. Here is something that we cannot overlook. Even when you feel unprepared and uncomfortable, God will still use your life to fulfill His will. From her, God is birthing something. In her, God is giving her something that would change the whole world. God is giving her something in private that will be blessing the world openly.

This announcement proclaims that Jesus is coming. The one who was prophesied and the one who would bring hope. Mary, do not be afraid because what I am birthing in you will be great and rule forever. I’m not going to announce something in you that would go against the favor I have already claimed over your life. This may be new to Mary but it’s not new to God. If He said it, He will bring you through it.