“Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. And having come in, the angel said to her, ‘Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women’” (Luke 1:26-28).
Now to the central cast of Advent. Two simple Galileans were preparing for a wedding and a quiet life in the north of Israel. Of course, they dreamed of an extraordinary life, filled with God’s blessings, but they could never have imagined what great blessing was about to be bestowed on them. Never! Why? Because they were just normal Galileans.
Gabriel announced to Mary, “Blessed are you among women.” In other words, “Out of all the women in Israel, you have been singled out by God for a great blessing.” One translation reads, “God loves you dearly.”
What was so special about Mary & her beloved carpenter fiancé, Joseph? They were not scholars, not wealthy, not famous. They were humble, common, godly humans. And that’s the point here as we move through our Adventure of Advent.
Keep this in mind; this incredible “God story” is wrapped around nothing but very “human” humans. Yes, Jesus is different, though He was truly human, He is also truly Divine, carrying the “God gene.”
Hands up, who wants to be used by God? Me too. So today, let’s selah (meditate) on this. God is always looking for, and willing to use, the truly “human” humans among us, since there are no super humans anyway.
God looks for “Marys” and “Josephs,” who allow heavenly interruptions in their well- planned lives.
Of course, we all feel inadequate, but remember Psalm 103:14. “He knows how we are formed and remembers we are only dust.” And you have one thing in common with this precious, young maiden, Mary. You are also, “dearly loved by God.”
