“And the angel said unto her, fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favor with God” (Luke 1:30).

 I have often wondered what Mary was doing when the angel came in unto her (1:28). The first thing Gabriel says after greeting her and assuring her of God’s blessing was, “Fear not.” She must have been terrified. While we do not know what Mary was doing, by the terminology of the angel coming in unto her, apparently she was doing something that was rather routine. No, I am not going to venture a guess. The important thing is that the angel gave her an announcement that was going to change her life. Within a very brief few seconds, Mary’s life would change forever. Here she was, a teenager, engaged to Joseph and promised to become his bride. In her mind and heart, she was committed to the greatest degree of devotion to Joseph. Suddenly the angel tells her she has found favor with God and that He has quite an assignment for her. The great lesson in this Christmas message rests in the fact that we do not have to be fearful of God’s assignments. We are people upon whom the favor of God rests. What He brings into our lives will be according to His plan and purpose. God is too wise to make any mistakes. God is too loving to be unkind. You can trust the Lord and think of His wonderful words, “Fear not!”

 For today: While I may not understand everything He is doing, still I will trust Him and not be afraid.