We have all heard the Christmas story, but today I want to focus on the announcements from the angel Gabriel.
Luke 1:8 Once when Zechariah’s division was on duty and he was serving as priest before God.11 Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing at the right side of the altar of incense. 12 When Zechariah saw him, he was startled and was gripped with fear.13 But the angel said to him: “Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to call him John.18 Zechariah asked the angel, “How can I be sure of this? I am an old man and my wife is well along in years.”19 The angel said to him, “I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to tell you this good news. 20 And now you will be silent and not able to speak until the day this happens, because you did not believe my words, which will come true at their appointed time.”
God makes a promise, Zechariah’s response is disbelief. This promise, God’s act of grace towards us is not thwarted here. It goes all the way back to Abraham and Abraham’s faith in the promise. God is going to fulfill his responsibility.
Luke 1:26 "In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, 27 to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David…31 You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, 33 and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.”..38 “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Then the angel left her.
God makes a promise, Mary Believes.
Here is a promise to the prophet Isaiah: Isaiah 41:10“Fear not for I am with you. Do not be dismayed for I am your God. I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my victorious right hand.”
God has made his promise to you, Do you believe? We will be ok. We need to plan and prepare and live through this crisis with unwavering faith. Jesus said he will be with us where we go.
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