Transcribed by TurboScribe.ai.

Luke 1, 26-33 In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin's name was Mary. The angel went to her and said, Greetings, you who are highly favored.

The Lord is with you. Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. But the angel said to her, Do not be afraid, Mary.

You have found favor with God. You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. 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, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever. His kingdom will never end. Welcome to the Bridgeway Christian Church Daily Advent Devotional for Monday, December 2nd.

My name is Kevin Kurtz, and I serve on the YAKKA Africa missions team. Today's message is Hope in the Incarnation. Israel had waited 800 years for Isaiah's prophecy in Isaiah 7.14 to be fulfilled.

The Lord himself will give you a sign. The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and you will call him Immanuel, God with us. Isaiah foretold of the coming king who would honor the land of Galilee.

Chapter 9, verse 2. The people walking in darkness have seen a great light, and those living in the shadow of death a light has dawned. Verse 6. For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be upon his shoulders, and he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. From David's descendants a king would come who would have an eternal kingdom and would reign with justice and righteousness forever.

When Israel despaired under the bondage of Roman rule and the people cried out to God for the Messiah, God sent his angel, Gabriel, to speak to a young teenage girl pledged to be married. This is what Gabriel said. Don't be afraid, Mary.

You have found favor with God. You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to name him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High.

The Lord God will be with him and give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever. His kingdom will never end. In the time of Isaiah, the nation of Israel had split into two kingdoms.

Each kingdom looked to their king and leaders to bring peace and prosperity to the people. But the rulers brought the nation deeper into idolatry and further away from God's righteousness. The miraculous birth of Jesus was the fulfillment of Isaiah's prophecies.

The Messiah had come, the Eternal One, Light of the World, Savior for mankind. America is similar to Israel in the time of the prophets. Two kingdoms with separate ideologies vying for supremacy and control of the people.

The nation looks to human leaders for guidance when they should be looking to God as their source. The themes of Advent, hope, peace, joy, and love, and the candles they represent, are fulfilled by the Light of the World. God heard the prayers of his people and sent his Son to dwell with men.

In this season, reflect on this truth. God hears your prayers. You are never alone.

Emmanuel, God with us.

 Transcribed by TurboScribe.ai.