Advent Devo | Week One
Luke 1:26-38
“In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.
”Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. 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, and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.”
“How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?”The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on 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. Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be unable to conceive is in her sixth month. For no word from God will ever fail.”“I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Then the angel left her.”
As Luke 1 opens, the angel Gabriel appears to a priest named Zechariah. He and his wife, Elizabeth, were both descendants of Aaron. They were elderly and beyond hope of conceiving a child. When the angel appeared to Zechariah, he was terrified. Gabriel told him that Elizabeth would have a son—a special son—who would prepare the way for the long-awaited Messiah.
Six months later, Gabriel appeared again, this time to Mary, a virgin (Isaiah 7:14) betrothed to Joseph, who was of the tribe of David (2 Samuel 7:10-13).
The message was similar. Mary, too, was frightened by the angel’s appearance. She, too, would have a son (Isaiah 9:6a)—a special son—the promised Messiah (Genesis 3:15).
Can you imagine what it must have been like to stand in either woman’s shoes? From a worldly perspective, neither woman should have been able to conceive. Elizabeth was well beyond childbearing years, and Mary had never been with a man.
For Elizabeth, the message was delivered to her husband, Zechariah, while he was serving in the Temple. This was likely a once-in-a-lifetime experience for Zechariah—offering incense at the altar, the pinnacle of his priestly career. When Gabriel declared that God was going to answer Zechariah’s lifelong prayer for a child, his immediate response was, “How can I be sure of this?” Zechariah doubted and requested a sign.
In Mary’s case, the message came directly to her. Mary, a young virgin likely in her early teens, was betrothed to Joseph and awaiting the marriage that would follow. We know Joseph was from the line of David, the lineage of the long-awaited Messiah.
When Gabriel announced that God was answering the prayers of His people, he told Mary, “The Son of the Most High” would be born to her. Shocked by the news, Mary had questions for Gabriel. But unlike Zechariah, her questions reflected curiosity rather than doubt. She asked, “How will this be, since I am a virgin?” Gabriel didn’t hesitate to explain the miraculous conception. Mary’s response was simple yet profound: “I am the Lord’s servant. May your word to me be fulfilled.”
Mary’s response is what God desires from all of us. There are times when life presents us with situations beyond our comprehension—circumstances that bring fear, confusion, or questions. Yet God’s invitation is the same: to walk by faith and say “yes.” “Yes,” even when we don’t fully understand. “Yes,” even when we are afraid.
Perhaps you feel confused by the loss of a loved one, or by an unfulfilled longing for marriage. Maybe you’ve “brought up a child in the way they should go,” only to see them walk away from the Lord. Perhaps you fear the future because of the uncertain times we live in, financial instability, or declining health. God’s invitation is to say “yes” and step forward with hope and confident assurance that He will meet you and bless your obedience.
Julie Thomas | Rebuild Leader
As Luke 1 opens, the angel Gabriel appears to a priest named Zechariah. He and his wife, Elizabeth, were both descendants of Aaron. They were elderly and beyond hope of conceiving a child. When the angel appeared to Zechariah, he was terrified. Gabriel told him that Elizabeth would have a son—a special son—who would prepare the way for the long-awaited Messiah.
Six months later, Gabriel appeared again, this time to Mary, a virgin (Isaiah 7:14) betrothed to Joseph, who was of the tribe of David (2 Samuel 7:10-13).
The message was similar. Mary, too, was frightened by the angel’s appearance. She, too, would have a son (Isaiah 9:6a)—a special son—the promised Messiah (Genesis 3:15).
Can you imagine what it must have been like to stand in either woman’s shoes? From a worldly perspective, neither woman should have been able to conceive. Elizabeth was well beyond childbearing years, and Mary had never been with a man.
For Elizabeth, the message was delivered to her husband, Zechariah, while he was serving in the Temple. This was likely a once-in-a-lifetime experience for Zechariah—offering incense at the altar, the pinnacle of his priestly career. When Gabriel declared that God was going to answer Zechariah’s lifelong prayer for a child, his immediate response was, “How can I be sure of this?” Zechariah doubted and requested a sign.
In Mary’s case, the message came directly to her. Mary, a young virgin likely in her early teens, was betrothed to Joseph and awaiting the marriage that would follow. We know Joseph was from the line of David, the lineage of the long-awaited Messiah.
When Gabriel announced that God was answering the prayers of His people, he told Mary, “The Son of the Most High” would be born to her. Shocked by the news, Mary had questions for Gabriel. But unlike Zechariah, her questions reflected curiosity rather than doubt. She asked, “How will this be, since I am a virgin?” Gabriel didn’t hesitate to explain the miraculous conception. Mary’s response was simple yet profound: “I am the Lord’s servant. May your word to me be fulfilled.”
Mary’s response is what God desires from all of us. There are times when life presents us with situations beyond our comprehension—circumstances that bring fear, confusion, or questions. Yet God’s invitation is the same: to walk by faith and say “yes.” “Yes,” even when we don’t fully understand. “Yes,” even when we are afraid.
Perhaps you feel confused by the loss of a loved one, or by an unfulfilled longing for marriage. Maybe you’ve “brought up a child in the way they should go,” only to see them walk away from the Lord. Perhaps you fear the future because of the uncertain times we live in, financial instability, or declining health. God’s invitation is to say “yes” and step forward with hope and confident assurance that He will meet you and bless your obedience.
Julie Thomas | Rebuild Leader
Ministry Moment | REBUILD Ministry
WHAT: What is REBUILD Ministry?
REBUILD is a ministry at Woodcreek Church designed to help those facing grief. Through workshops, mentoring, and biblical guidance, this ministry equips individuals to navigate difficult seasons with hope, faith, and practical tools. It’s a reminder that no matter the circumstances, God’s plans are always to restore and rebuild.
WHY: Why does it matter?
Advent is a season of hope and renewal—a reminder that God sent His Son to restore a broken world. REBUILD embodies this message by offering encouragement and support to those experiencing brokenness. REBUILD can help you find strength, purpose, and hope in Christ.
HOW: How Can You Get Involved This Advent Season?
If you or someone you know needs support, visit woodcreekchurch.com/rebuild to learn more. You can also get involved by praying for or volunteering with this vital ministry. Let’s reflect Christ’s light by walking alongside others in their rebuilding journey!