love – a strong affection for another arising out of kinship or personal
ties; warm attachment, enthusiasm, or devotion; unselfish loyal and benevolent
concern for the good of another
Light the first and second candle on your Advent Wreath.
Read Luke 1:26-56
26
In the sixth
month, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, 27 to
a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David.
The virgin’s name was Mary. 28 The angel went to her and said,
“Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.”
29
Mary was
greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be.
30 But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, you have
found favor with God. 31 You will be with child and give birth to a
son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. 32 He will be great and
will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne
of his father David, 33 and he will reign over the house of Jacob
forever; his kingdom will never end.”
34
“How will
this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?”
35
The angel
answered, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High
will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. 36
Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and
she who was said to be barren is in her sixth month. 37 For nothing
is impossible with God.”
38
“I am the
Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May it be to me as you have said.” Then the
angel left her.
39
At that time
Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea, 40 where
she entered Zechariah’s home and greeted Elizabeth. 41 When
Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was
filled with the Holy Spirit. 42 In a loud voice she exclaimed:
“Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear! 43 But
why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 44 As
soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped
for joy. 45 Blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has
said to her will be accomplished!”
46
And Mary
said:
“My soul glorifies the Lord
47 and
my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
48 for
he has been mindful
of the humble state of his servant.
From now on all generations will call me blessed,
49 for
the Mighty One has done great things for me—
holy is his name.
50 His
mercy extends to those who fear him,
from generation to generation.
51 He
has performed mighty deeds with his arm;
he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost
thoughts.
52 He
has brought down rulers from their thrones
but has lifted up the humble.
53 He
has filled the hungry with good things
but has sent the rich away empty.
54 He
has helped his servant Israel,
remembering to be merciful
55 to
Abraham and his descendants forever,
even
as he said to our fathers.”
56
Mary stayed
with Elizabeth for about three months and then returned home.
Where do you see love in this
passage? How does it reveal itself?
How can you express God’s love
to others this holiday season?
Father God, help
us to receive the great love You have for us
and enable us to
generously offer Your love to others.
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