Luke 1:26-38  Luke's investigation into all the events "from the beginning"  brings out details of the birth of Christ that none of the other gospels give us.  Did Mary herself inform Luke of these events?  Who else would know that the angel Gabriel visited Mary that day? Who else would report his words "Hail, favored one! The Lord is with you." 

Mary found "favor with God".  He knew her heart.. He knew that she would receive this Word and surrender herself.. her womb.. her reputation.. her relationships.. so that the will of the Father would be done. 

Luke gives us the first glimpse of Mary's Son.. "And behold you will conceive in your womb, and bear a son and you shall name Him Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David; and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever; and His kingdom will have no end." 

This is the promise given to Mary and to us.. the Day is drawing nearer when this will be perfectly complete.  We wait patiently with great anticipation for that blessed day!  Meanwhile we give thanks and rejoice in the greatness of Mary's son... Jesus Christ the Son of God who is coming again!

Father, we are turning our eyes now to Jesus.. looking beyond the "seen" to that which is "unseen". We rejoice in the promise given to Mary.. Jesus will reign over an unending Kingdom and we will be with Him forever!  Lord, haste the day when our faith will become sight and we will know the joy of Heaven in a way we can't ever imagine with our mortal minds. Thank You for coming to save us, Jesus!  Prepare our hearts today for the Day when You come again to take us to be where You are!  Amen!