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 descendent of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. And he came to her and said, “Hail, O favoured one, the Lord is with you!” (Luke 1:26-28)
This advent period may we find hope in the coming King, as we recall from the prophesies about the Messiah coming and the message to Mary from Angel Gabriel. It is a time to reflect on the unexpected nature of Jesus’s humble birth and join in the anticipation of when he will come again. When the angel brought the message to the young Mary, that she would be the mother of the long-promised Messiah, he addressed her as “highly favoured.” Mary was a surprising choice to be the mother of the Messiah. This young girl whom God chose to favour was not married or of high social standing. But the way in which she received the angel’s rather worrisome message shows her obedience to God’s wishes. We as well must always be prepared to be used by God. Mary has a very low social status, but God doesn’t care about that, he cares about your trust and obedience to him.
If you have chosen Jesus as your Savior, you are the favoured one of God. This advent we are encouraged to partake in prayer, fasting and almsgiving. By partaking in these three pillars, we can approach this season of anticipation prayerfully and arrive at Christmas morning with hearts prepared to receive Christ our Savior. We all have many excuses about why we behave so differently from what the Bible prescribes. As Christmas approaches, let us try to respond as Mary did and make ourselves available to God. We have this hope and faith during times of sadness and challenges, believing that because he loves us, he will bring us peace and joy. Let us further To Know Christ and Make Him Known as we Bear Fruit that Will Last.
Sipiwe Chisvo
World President
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