The angel announcements figure very importantly in the Christmas story. One of the them informed Mary that she would be the mother of the Messiah, and her response is a pattern for us to emulate. She was humble, she rejoiced, and she welcomed God’s will for her life.
Mary said, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.â€
I think that is a good place for us to start this Advent season.
Our Scripture for today is Luke 1:46-55
From the Les Très Riches Heures du duc de Berry
Here is her response to her cousin Elizabeth, called the “Magnificat“:
My soul magnifies the Lord
And my spirit rejoices in God my Savior;
Because he has regarded the lowliness of his handmaid;
For behold, henceforth all generations shall call me blessed;
Because he who is mighty has done great things for me,
and holy is his name;
And his mercy is from generation to generation
on those who fear him.
He has shown might with his arm,
He has scattered the proud in the conceit of their heart.
He has put down the mighty from their thrones,
and has exalted the lowly.
He has filled the hungry with good things,
and the rich he has sent away empty.
He has given help to Israel, his servant, mindful of his mercy
Even as he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his posterity forever.
Because of their significance in the Christmas story account, angels -in picture and ornaments- are often depicted in Christmas decoration. Angel tree top ornaments, as hanging ornaments on the tree, in Christmas cards and probably in just about any form you can imagine.
