“And coming in, he said to her, “Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you.”  But she was very perplexed at this statement, and kept pondering what kind of salutation this was” (Luke 1:28-29).

Are you perplexed with the thought that you are favored by the Lord?  Do you believe that the Lord is near to you?  Do you feel at times that He is far off?  He is always with you, so if this is true, where is the problem?  What kind of salvation has the Lord brought into the world?  Is it up to you to understand, or is it a proclamation that lies just beyond your understanding?  “Greetings favored one.”

Lord, I too am perplexed in the midst of an honest moment when I think that You could do anything with the likes of me.  I am one of muddled thinking.  The world is filled with lies and I know that You speak the truth.  Help me to see the lies and understand the truth so that I may walk in a way that is right and good.  You have called whom You have called, and those who hear Your call walk in the truth of the salvation You have prepared.

Lord Jesus, You were born in a particular time in the midst of particular circumstances.  You have called me from my circumstances to come follow You.  Help me learn how to ponder these things and follow.  Let the light of truth break forth through all that I experience that I may be further strengthened to walk in Your salvation.  Let me not hinder what You are doing, but instead, be guided by Your Holy Spirit.  Amen.

“Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the descendants of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary” (Luke 1:26-27).

God prepared the way so that the circumstances were as He wanted them to be. Whole books have been written on many of the things that this means with these particular circumstances. Perhaps it would best for us is to realize that we also are in a circumstance that is according to God’s purpose, for we also have been called to fulfill the Father’s will. You are in a particular time and place and of a lineage that He purposed.

Lord, I often forget that all things are in Your hands. As You called Mary, the mother of Jesus, so also You call each one of us to live in Your salvation. We are tainted and sin-filled, but by Your grace You make us pure and holy. You take what has been defiled and make of it that which is pure. You prepare the way before each of us. You did this perfectly with the mother of our Lord Jesus.

My Lord and Savior, there are so many things I do not understand, but You have come so that I may have hope and gain understanding. Lead me out of the lies of this age to trust what You have given me. Guide me in the way of truth, trusting in the preparation You have made for all who look to You with the hope You give through salvation. Lead me, Lord, and help me to follow You alone. Amen.

“When the days of his priestly service were ended, he went back home.  After these days Elizabeth his wife became pregnant, and she kept herself in seclusion for five months, saying,  “This is the way the Lord has dealt with me in the days when He looked with favor upon me, to take away my disgrace among men” (Luke (1:23-25)

We may not fully understand the ways of the culture, but we do understand waiting a long time and then rejoicing at the fulfillment of hope.  She who had no children was with child.  With God it is never too late.  He will do what shall be done and always according to His will and timing. The Lord has created you with purpose and calls you to come into the hope of faith and live within His purpose.

Lord, this world is filled with heartache and disappointment.  Amidst all of the expectations heaped upon us by the world, You tell us to trust in You.  We have expectations, and You give the promise that everything has a purpose.  The world tells me that I need to do certain things in order to be acceptable.  You tell me that You wonderfully created me and that You want me to trust and follow You.

Lord Jesus, You have come into the world to bring as many as would follow You into the presence of the Most High God, our Father in heaven.  You have prepared the way by paying the cost we could never pay in order to become what we could never become without You.  Help me to learn and understand more clearly so that I may trust in the Father’s plan and not live according to the expectations of this world.  Amen.

“The people were waiting for Zacharias, and were wondering at his delay in the temple.  But when he came out, he was unable to speak to them; and they realized that he had seen a vision in the temple; and he kept making signs to them, and remained mute” (Luke 1:21-22).

Something happened, but no one knew what it was.  How many times do things happen around us, but we are not able to understand what is happening?  The Lord is always at work around us.  How much more would be done in this generation if we just believed, went out, and lived what we believe?  Some receive a lesson the hard way, but the point is to learn the lesson knowing that it will be as God determines.

Do you believe?  Through your baptism, God has brought you into His presence.  No longer does one need to tell you that you are in the presence of God.  What are you going to do with this reality?  Will you continue to do nothing, be busy with the things of this world, or listen to the direction of the Lord?  Belief is the action of faith.  It is not about getting it right, but about stepping out in faith believing that God will do what He says He will do.

Lord Jesus, You asked how long would You need to tolerate an unbelieving generation.  I am that generation, but I do not need to live in  unbelief.  You have given me the words of eternal life.  Help me to see the miracle You have brought to reality in me through faith.  Guide me in Your grace to boldly walk in and by the faith You have given me.  Help me to understand that it is in my actions that I live out the faith You have given me.  Amen.

“The angel answered and said to him, “I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to bring you this good news.  And behold, you shall be silent and unable to speak until the day when these things take place, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their proper time” (Luke 1:19-20).

The Lord God gives and takes away.  We live in this world of dimness and question the One who has created all worlds.  The Lord loves us enough not to stop with our unwillingness to believe in what He is doing.  He will cause what He will cause.  He will do what He will do.  He will give signs so that we may remember and believe.  We live in an unbelieving generation.  But you, will you believe?

Lord, remind me that my belief is what I do.  You have filled me with Your word and despite those in the world around me, many of whom do not believe, help me to receive Your heavenly report and not be unbelieving, but believing.  Everything is in Your hands.  You cause all things to come together according to Your purpose.  Guide me so that I live life believing in You and what You are doing.

Holy Spirit, You speak to me often, but how often do I ignore You?  You are the presence of God and I act as though my unbelieving thoughts might have some merit.  Lead me so that I live into the life You are giving me.  Guide me in order that I may now and always abide in the truth that I am saved by faith and that You are leading the way by grace.  The world calls it impossible, but it actually is the possible hope which You give.  Help me to believe.  Amen.

“Zacharias said to the angel, “How will I know this for certain? For I am an old man and my wife is advanced in years” (Luke 1:18).

“God, how do I know You can do what You say?”  How often does the world say just this?  The Creator of all things is questioned about His ability.  The world may do this, but one of the Lord’s priests?  Yes, we all like sheep go astray and do not believe.  We fear the petty bullies, but do not love the One who first loved us.  One may become old and shriveled.  So what?  With God, all things are possible.

Lord, You know where my unbelief needs help.  I look at the situation, and I do not see how it can be resolved.  You created the heavens and earth and all that is.  The world is crazy and believes in just about anything other than You.  Help me to listen when You speak and obey what You are telling me to do.  Guide me in the way of everlasting life which You give, even when I doubt and think it impossible.

Lord Jesus, You were crucified and resurrected as a part of the Father’s plan and You did this for me.  The world screams at me to ignore You; but You have given me faith.  In every situation where I think it impossible, You grant a way to faithfully follow by Your grace.  Lead me in the way I need to go so that I live believing and do not act with unbelief.  Help me learn how to live in this faith You have given.  Amen.

“And he will turn many of the sons of Israel back to the Lord their God.  It is he who will go as a forerunner before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers back to the children, and the disobedient to the attitude of the righteous, so as to make ready a people prepared for the Lord” (Luke 1:16-17).

The prophet John was to prepare the way before Jesus.  He came and declared the intent of our Lord and God.  The Lord is careful to give us all the information we need in order that we may humbly come into the salvation which He offers.  We are to have hearts for one another, leaving behind disobedience, and seeking righteousness.  Through these things, we are prepared to walk with the Lord.

Lord You are teaching us that we need to leave behind what we need to leave behind and take up our cross and follow You.  You have prepared the way before each one of us so that what is impossible for us is made possible because You have prepared the way.  Guide me in the way You know I need to go and help me to see where You have prepared the way so that I may stay on the narrow path of salvation.

Lord Jesus, You went deliberately through each of the steps necessary for our salvation.  You call for me to take up my cross so that in following You I may be brought with You from death to life.  Lead me in the way You know I need to go and help me each step of the way.  With You, all things are possible.  Guide me in the goodness of Your mercy and grace to humbly walk on the path You have set before me.  Amen.

“You will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth.  For he will be great in the sight of the Lord; and he will drink no wine or liquor, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit while yet in his mother’s womb” (Luke 1:14-15).

Before we were in the womb, the Lord knew us.  The son of Zacharias was born for a certain kind of life.  He would not be like most.  This is not a judgement of God as to good or bad, but a call for the purpose for which John would live his life.  We each have a call on our life, and the question is whether or not we will follow that call.  Any child following the Lord is a child that brings joy and gladness.

Lord, humble me to know that You have created me as I am and for Your purpose.  I have the self-will to wander, but I also can relinquish that will for Your will to be done in me.  Lead me by Your Spirit to live according to the direction You give.  You know who I am and what You intend.  Help me to live into Your intention so that I may humbly walk with You always.

Thank You, Lord Jesus, for coming into the world to encounter us where we are so that we could join with You to be where You are.  Help me to understand that everyone has been wonderfully made according to the Father’s purpose.  Guide me into the unity You intend that I may live according to the call You have placed upon my life, learning to love You and my neighbor.  Amen.

“Zacharias was troubled when he saw the angel, and fear gripped him.  But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zacharias, for your petition has been heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you will give him the name John” (Luke 1:12-13).

You too would be afraid.  We say we believe things and then, if they were to actually happen, our unbelief is exposed.  The Lord hears every prayer.  Our God knows us better than we know ourselves.  He will do what He has determined, but we have the ability to deny reality – and we do – so when He actually shows up, we are uncertain and afraid.  Be faithful and learn to trust the Lord at all times.

Lord, You know that I have plenty of doubts and fears.  Help me so that I move beyond them and into the way of life that understands that You truly are with me each step of the way.  Guide me in Your goodness and mercy to overcome my misgivings and if You send an angel, move me beyond my fear to accept that in many and various ways You do speak to me each day.

Lord Jesus, You have come and You call for me to abide in You as You will abide in me.  When I encounter what I do not understand, help me to be both discerning and trusting.  You know what is coming into my life.  Prepare me to receive Your instruction and listen as You speak.  Aid me to understand that You hear every petition I speak and that Your answer is always for my good because of the Father’s steadfast love.  Amen.

“And the whole multitude of the people were in prayer outside at the hour of the incense offering.  And an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing to the right of the altar of incense” (Luke 1:10-11).

Do angels still appear?  Beware, there are angels who come, and you do not know it.  Angels are messengers from God.  Yes, there are the angelic beings, but the Lord sends messengers every day.  Do not focus upon the messenger, but upon the message.  Take in the word of the Lord and know that the word of the Lord never comes back void.  Believe that the Lord sends you messages every day. His Holy Spirit is with you wherever you are.

Lord, I am often of the mind that unless the heavens open and a choir is singing, it cannot be a message from You.  Help me to realize that Your word can come from any place You choose.  Lead me such that I anticipate each day that You will send Your word.  Open my spirit to receive You and to discern that it is You, for I understand that the wicked one will seek to deceive me.

Lord Jesus, teach me to pray.  Help me to be discerning so that I know Your word when it is spoken.  Guide me to better understand the way things are according to the Father.  Aid me to be the moral and decent person You have created me to be.  Lead me in all of Your ways, listening each day as You give me guidance through the Holy Spirit and with any angels You may send my way.  Amen.