Second Monday of Advent
– You can ponder on the picture. For a method of praying with pictures click button below.
– You can pray on the words of Scripture. For methods of praying with scripture click button below.
– You can follow the suggestions in the daily ‘Reflection’.
– You can listen to the music
Today’s Scripture
Luke 1:26-38 ESV
At that time: The angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. And the virgin’s name was Mary. And he came to her and said, ‘Greetings, O favoured one, the Lord is with you!’ But she was greatly troubled at the 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 favour 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 to him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob for ever, 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.’ And Mary said, ‘Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.’ And the angel departed from her.
Reflection
Sometimes God’s call to and mission for people is surprising. And frequently feels far beyond what they can manage. That was certainly the case for Mary, ‘greatly troubled’ by the greeting given her and deeply puzzled as to how what was spoken would take place: ‘How will this be…?’. Whilst Mary’s mission is unique, the assurance she receives holds true for each of us in whatever part we are invited to play in God’s purpose. The Holy Spirit’s presence, the power of the Most High and the reality that ‘with God nothing is impossible’.
Where do you sense God inviting you to something which is beyond and too much for you?
What words of assurance and enabling is God speaking to you?
You may wish to take time today to sit with the words of assurance given to Mary, dwelling on the marvel that for God nothing is too hard.
Today’s Music
“Be Born In Me” written by Nichole Nordeman and sung by Francesca Battistelli