Advent 21/25

 DAY TWENTY-ONE (week three; nativity)

I have been avoiding this advent for the past couple of nights because I was afraid of catching up on all of the days I had missed. I was really embarrassed as I had this commitment (which others were joining me in) and I had dropped the ball completely during my sickness. A bit ago I called my mom, saying, “I have all of these days to do and I feel like I can’t do any of them-” and she said, “Just get it done for today.” I responded, “Just one? What about catching up?” “You don’t have to, just do today’s.”

My brain was quickly rerouted, though quite sad because I had an elaborate day-by-day study of the entire nativity. So, for just today, let’s read Luke 1:26-29, 38;

“Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city in Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the descendants of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary. And coming in, he said to her, “Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you.” But she was very perplexed at this statement, and was pondering what kind of greeting this was. … And Mary said, “Behold, the Lord’s bond-servant; may it be done to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.” (NASB)

This passage is directly after speaking about Elizabeth, Mary’s first cousin, who was very old, yet conceived a child. God blessed Elizabeth with a son even though she was infertile not only to answer her husbands’ prayers, but to bring a forerunner to Jesus’s ministry. So when it says, “in the sixth month…” it doesn’t mean June, but rather that month in her pregnancy.

We further read that the angel Gabriel is sent to a virgin who is betrothed. This is fairly meaningful, and not the same as engaged. They have already promised to be faithful to each other, so it is a very committed relationship that is not yet consummated. Gabriel says to her, “Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you.” This is the NASB translation, and other translations continue saying, “The Lord is with you; blessed are you among women!” This is excluded because early Greek manuscripts don’t include it, suggesting it may have been added after. This ultimately doesn’t matter if it is in this verse, as Elizabeth later tells Mary she is blessed among all women. Why is this important? Why is Mary so highly praised?

Well, she was a faithful believer of God and she would be chosen to be the mother of Christ. She shows her good character by her humility; “But she was very perplexed at this statement,” She likely was surprised she was spoken of so highly by an angel! Yet we know she wasn’t perfect for a few reasons; in Luke 1:47 she refers to God as her savior, which implies she would need a savior because of her sin. In Romans 3:23 we see that “all have sinned”, which means no exceptions in humanity (Jesus fully human AND God). 

Catholics believe Mary was perfect because their translation says she is full of grace, whereas ours says favored one. This is true; she is full of grace! So is Stephen, as seen in Acts 6:8. God has saved us by grace through faith- this doesn’t mean these people didn’t sin, but rather God has given them grace in salvation. I prefer the protestant translation, “favored one,” because it shows though Mary was given grace just like everyone else, she was still very special in the eyes of God. 

I am writing this to inform you on why we believe Mary still sinned, so please be kind to everyone no matter their interpretation of scripture. It’s incredible God used sinners all throughout Jesus’s family- just like He can use us for His glory. Today I encourage you to pray with me for obedience in God’s commandments just as Mary has shown us.