In Elizabeth's sixth month of pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to a virgin girl, Mary of Nazareth. Gabriel greeted her as a "highly favored" one. Worldly favor is a worldly blessing, like money. But God's favor is to be a great source of blessing to the world. Mary was chosen to be the mother of the Messiah, the Son of God, the eternal king on David's throne.

Mary wondered how, as a virgin, this would come about? Gabriel explained it would happen by the power of the Holy Spirit. So her baby, Jesus, would be called "the Son of God." Jesus is fully God and fully man. Jesus is the Savior of the world ("Jesus" means "the LORD saves"). Mary humbly accepted God's will for her, and so she became the mother of Jesus Christ.


Application: Lord Jesus, son of Mary, Son of God, thank you for coming into our world to save us from sin and death and condemnation. May we seek your favor, rather than worldly favor. Make me a blessing, in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
One Word: Jesus is Son of Man and Son of God, our Savior and King forever