Transcription

[Nicole Andrade]

Welcome to Bridgeway Christian Church's Daily Advent Prayer. My name is Nicole Andrade, and I've been part of the Bridgeway community for 19 years. Today is Wednesday, December 3rd.

Each Wednesday of Advent, we'll pray through a short scripture, take a few minutes to listen quietly for what God may want to say to us personally. We'll read the same passage three times. First, to simply listen.

Second, to notice a word or phrase God highlights. And third, to pray the scripture into our lives. Today's passage is Luke 128-36, the account of the angel's visit to Mary, announcing that she would bear the long-awaited Savior.

As I read the passage the first time, simply listen to this familiar story. Notice any words or phrases that stand out to you. Luke 128-36 The angel Gabriel came to a virgin named Mary, who was betrothed, and said, Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you.

But she was greatly troubled at this saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be. And the angel said to her, Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus.

He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end. And Mary said to the angel, How will this be, since I am a virgin?

And the angel answered her, The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore the child to be born will be called Holy, the Son of God. And behold, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son, and this is the sixth month with her who is called barren.

For nothing will be impossible with God. Scripture tells us she was greatly troubled. Mary's emotions strike me as she wrestles with the truth and her tangible question of, How will this be?

to the angel. It's such a normal human conversation with a supernatural messenger, and yet, despite her anxiety, she stays open to doing what seems completely impossible. Lord, I want conversations like that with you.

Help me be someone who speaks with you honestly and listens deeply, open to the impossible kingdom things you want to do in partnership with me. I'm going to read the scripture again. After this second reading, I'll pause for a moment to give you space to talk to the Lord about any word or phrase he highlights for you.

Luke 128-36 But she was greatly troubled at the saying and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be. God will give him to the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end. And Mary said to the angel, How will this be, since I am a virgin?

And the angel answered her, The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore the child to be born will be called Holy, the Son of God. And behold, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son, and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren, for nothing will be impossible with God.

The hope of Advent is Jesus' miraculous birth, God's salvation breaking into the ordinary life of a teenage girl. After I read the scripture one last time, I'll pause and give you space to pray the angel's promise over anything that feels impossible in your life right now. Luke 128-36 The Lord is with you.

Luke 128-36 Take a few moments to pray the promise from Gabriel to Mary over your own seemingly impossible situation. Jesus, thank you for coming to earth through the miraculous virgin birth. Let this very familiar story remain truly miraculous and stir a fresh hope in us for the places that feel impossible this season.

Amen.