In the sixth month, 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.”…”You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus.
We have a little watermark in a plastic window, Mary had an angel.
Let’s just be real, when learning that you’re pregnant, or learning that life is now on a completely different track, it’s a bit jarring no matter how you find out. The confirmation of conception, the promise of a life to come, the reality of a new life direction or a past coming to light in a whole new way; these are all things we may receive as a shock. They can be frightening, beautiful, exciting and unfathomable all at the same time. Just as new life is a miracle, waking each morning is a miracle in itself; we should be nothing less than swept up by it.
But what if we cannot be caught up in the miracle of the moment? Whether it’s a pregnancy, a layoff, a debt or a broken relationship, we may very well fall victim to fear and worry, first. We need a reminder to see the good in the moment; the opportunity for God to do a great work in us.
In this passage we read of an angel who swooped in and shouted “Greetings!”
Was he just being courteous, or did he bring more than a salutation?
The original Greek word for “Greetings” is Χαίρω pronounced “khah`-ee-ro”
The word is defined as a primary verb to be “cheer”ful, calmly happy or well-off”, and is also used as a greeting. In this case, I’d like to bet the angel was also bringing Mary the command to be calm and happy.
Here’s why:
If you turn to James 1:1-2 you’ll read his salutation to the twelve tribes. In verse 1:1 he says “Greetings”, Χαίρω, just like the angel. Then in verse 1:2 he tells them to “consider it all joy when they face trials of many kinds…” The original Greek word translated to “joy” is Χαρά, pronounced “khar-ah`” It is a form of the word for “cheerfulness, calm, delight, and gladness.”
James was bringing the reminder to consider it all joy; knowing all that his brothers had been through and would go through!
In her most fearful moment, Mary likely needed to feel confident that this was, in fact, of God. Her reputation was on the line, yes, but more importantly, her husband-to-be was at risk of being judged. Not only did the Angel Gabriel come to her, but he brought with him the divine suggestion to consider it joy, be calm and be happy, even bolstering that with “you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you!”
We are all going to encounter struggles; more than we would like to think about. There is no guarantee that being Christian automatically grants us an easy life; if so, everyone would believe! Instead, being a Christian means we have put our hope in Him who has planned for us, and we will consider even trials a joy, because that means He is working in us.
Imagine where we would be had Mary chosen her own detour from here; had she chosen to consider it just too much to handle. By choosing obedience in the face of the unknown, and clinging to the peaceful greetings of an angel, she gave us the Savior of the world.
Praise her faith.
When interruptions happen, how do you count it all as joy?
Your Fancy Little Takeaway
Certainly the holidays wreak havoc on our patience. No matter what our todo list entails, something can and will go wrong. Let’s make it a priority today to consider each obstacle a joy. Let’s choose patience and gladness over stress and anger, and discover the blessings hidden in each mishap 
Write Χαίρω somewhere and look at it to remind you to embrace the test the Lord has handed you. Remember that the same message of peace and calm the Lord gave to Mary is meant for you, too, and that you can bring light into any situation just as Mary brought the Light of the World here for us.
>>>>>>>READ Day 3: Sing Praise>>>>>>>
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So good! Thanks!
No, I don’t typically count interruption as joy, and my days with 4 little ones are FULL of them! Two posts so far, and you are truly hitting me in the heart and showing us how the Christmas story is my story, our story. Thank you!
Girl I couldn’t imagine 4! I cannot even count it as joy when 1 gets out of control.. I just love that this whole story started with a pregnancy. It’s like God wanted women to really know that all we go through is known to Him; that He put these stresses in place for a great reason!! xo
Oh I enjoyed your post today and will forward to someone who is facing severe trial. You are a blessing to me. Merry Christmas.
So glad to hear Marilyn! You are a blessing to this friend you have thought of
Merry Christmas!
Kristin Cho recently posted..Aloe Juice: how to!
Really enjoyed this post! Thank you for such a heart felt way of studying this passage!
Lani Derrick recently posted..5 things I’m Loving Right Now!
Thank you for reading Lani
I absolutely love this part of the story; Mary had such amazing faith!
Kristin Cho recently posted..Aloe Juice: how to!
Thankyou so much for your words clearly given you by the Holy Spirit. I’m really enjoying this series and using it as an extra guide for my own devotional a. Today’s message was just brilliant. I have a chronic health condition which provides me with many little “interruptions”- I try daily to look for the blessings within so today was a fabulous reminder for me. You are truly blessed with your Gift for devotional teachings and I thank God for your messages.xx
Helen thank you for following along with us! I am praying that your health condition is allowing you comfort and praising the fact that you are gleaning some goodness from it. That is something I do not personally understand, but have witnessed in others and it is a divine strength, for sure! ::hugs to you!::
Kristin Cho recently posted..Christmas Devotional: Day 3
gosh Kristin, this is right along the lines of the post I wrote that went live today… I guess God must really want us to learn through this concept, huh? It has always struck me how difficult Mary’s journey would have been, back then especially but even today. and how sometimes I think we (subconsciously maybe) believe that trials are not a natural and necessary part of the Christian life. in our busy lives we don’t have time for anything difficult, even though it’s when God does His best work. I guess I need the extra reminder often, too
Aly Allen recently posted..need a new iPhone case?
haha Aly I just saw your post; He’s definitely making sure we know this truth!! This has been the most difficult part of believing for me.. Believing through the confusion, when people think you’re crazy, when you are wondering if you are even on the right track? My bestie always says the teacher is most silent during a test. Lord help us get through each detail without giving up!!
Kristin Cho recently posted..Christmas Devotional: Day 3
james, my life book — i have literally been stuck in james for YEARS — and this verse, considering it pure joy has been a struggle for me… oh, it’s a tough one. Mary was one cool girl — i am in disbelief how close this story is becoming to me now that i’m a mamma!
Aimee Steckowski recently posted..7 layer bars
Beth Moore’s James study changed my life! That book is on my heart in so many ways! And yes, it really is amazing how much we can lean on Mary as Mamas
xoxo
Kristin Cho recently posted..Christmas Devotional: Day 4