“How can this be?” Mary asked the angel.  — Luke 1:34 The first chapter of Luke tells us that Gabriel, the angel of the Lord, came to a young Jewish woman named Mary while she was living in Nazareth.  When he announced she would give birth to a child who would be the Son of God, she asked a logical question:  “How can this be?”  It’s a question we may ask many times in our lives.  We seldom understand the ways of God—His wisdom, His power and His love.  Even when we don’t understand, we need to trust him as Mary did.  Our greatest joy will be found in surrendering our lives to His plan!

“Sovereign Lord, as You have promised, You now dismiss Your servant in peace.  For my eyes have seen Your salvation, which You have prepared in the sight of all people, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to Your people Israel.”  Luke 2:29-32  When Mary and Joseph carried baby Jesus into the temple, the old man Simeon knew immediately who he was—bursting into a song of praise for God’s saving work!  How did Simeon know when so many others did not?  The scripture tells us the Holy Spirit moved in the heart of this man who was righteous, devout, trusting, and constantly waiting for God to work.  God’s Spirit can reveal great truths to us as well, if our hearts are prepared in the same way!

“For He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son He loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.”  Colossians 1:13-14 In the story of Ruth, the upstanding man Boaz declared his willingness to be the “kinsman-redeemer” for Naomi and Ruth.  As such, he could provide them with a family, security and a bright future.  In a much more glorious and eternal way, Jesus Christ is our Redeemer and does the same for us.  He declared his willingness to do this through his sacrificial death on the cross which atones for our sins.  Let us be forever grateful!