In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. And the virgin’s name was Mary. And he came to her and said, “Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!”
Luke 1:26–28, ESV
A young girl, in the excitement of a time of betrothal, preparing to be a young, new wife, is met by the angel Gabriel. Imagine the wonderment and fear to be met with by an angelic being. What questions had to have filled her mind? Little did she know the promise and hope she would carry within her. This is the same promise we are called to carry out in the world. We bear within us the Word of God, who has placed His home in our hearts and with whom we find hope. We proclaim the salvation that was given through the child who would be born to this young virgin, Mary. What a promise and what a weight as she was given this great gift and burden. Let us not lose sight and forget to carry the promise that she was given for us out into the world and proclaim the great words given to the favored one of God.
Let us pray. I thank you, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, your dear Son, that you have kept me this night from all harm and danger, and I ask you to protect me this day also from sin and every evil, that in all I do today, I may please you. For into your hands, I commend myself, my body and soul, and all that is mine. Let your holy angel watch over me, that the wicked foe have no power over me. Amen.