JANUARY 5, Luke 1:26-31, 46, 47 

God sent the angel Gabriel to announce the special birth of Jesus to Mary. Who was Mary? She was a devout girl. She was betrothed to Joseph and a betrothal in those days was like someone today getting engaged to be married. But the commitment to marry is stronger.

Some of you may know Roman Catholic friends and they put Mary on par with Jesus, giving her respect and honour we do not find in the bible. From today’s reading, we would learn a few things about Mary that would tell us she was a wonderful girl. For God to select her from among all other Jewish girls, she must be special. But like us, she was a sinner.

In verse 28, we read that she was blessed by God, not that she was blessing others. Because she had found favor with God, she enjoyed the wonderful blessing of being chosen to be the human vessel through whom Jesus would be born. And verse 30 tells us the angel told her the name of Jesus, which means Saviour. Every time she calls Jesus, she is reminded that she, too, needs Him as Saviour. And in verse 46, we read that Mary was grateful to God and calls Him Lord, meaning she was to serve Him and clearly not His equal. And finally, verse 47 shows that she regarded God as her Saviour, a reaffirmation of verse 31.

Roman Catholics believe they should pray to Mary and that Mary can intercede on their behalf with God. Some of them also believe we pray to holy men who have died. These they call saints. However, we find none of these practices taught or even practiced in the bible.

Dear child, Jesus is the only Saviour of the world. He has taught in many passages that only through Him can we find salvation. Let’s just consider one verse – John 14:6, “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me”

Thought: Only Jesus, Always Jesus

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for today’s reminder that only Jesus saves. I humbly ask that You would help me learn more about Jesus as this month’s reading would focus on my precious Saviour. In the wonderful name of Jesus I pray – amen.