Day #7 Life Changing

A LIFE CHANGING INGREDIENT

Day # 7

Luke 1:30-31 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.”

            When you follow a recipe, you don’t expect any major changes to be thrown into the mix. You don’t like it when someone walks into the kitchen and asks, “What are you making?” And then begins to suggest that you add this or that ingredient. In fact, you would probably chase them out of your kitchen. You are the cook and you don’t need his or her help.

            Someone steps into Mary’s life with a life-changing ingredient. She probably had her life all planned out. She was engaged/betrothed to a carpenter named Joseph. He could make a decent living as a carpenter. Her family accepted him, gave him their blessings and soon, the time of the betrothal would be over and they would wed. Joseph would welcome her into his house and they would begin a family. Truly that was s recipe for a happy family.

            Then an angel named Gabriel shows up and throws a life-changing ingredient into her life. “You will conceive in your womb…” No mistaking what he is telling her. She is going to have a child, but not just any child, a Son. A woman who is a virgin cannot become pregnant. It doesn’t work that way. That is not what is supposed to happen. Her plan, her future, what about that?

            A life-changing ingredient, not just for Mary, but also for you and me. This Child named Jesus is not just any child. He is going to change the recipe all the way around. He will bring hope to the hopeless and life to the lifeless. This Son is going to be called “Jesus,” Savior. Into this recipe called life, the angel Gabriel brings the life-changing word, the life-changing ingredient – to Mary, to you and to me.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, You sent an angel to bring a word of a life-changing ingredient to Mary and to the world. We give thanks to You for adding Your Son into the mix of life. Be with us as we continue through this season of Advent. Helps us to see how You truly have A Recipe for a Savior. Amen.

Deeper Thought: As you think about this life-changing message that Gabriel brought to Mary, meditate on how that message changes your life today. How does this Child impact you, your family, and the world around you? How can you share the message with your family and friends, knowing that it can change their lives?