And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. – Luke 1:30

We often forget to celebrate Mary, the mother of Jesus. Perhaps we do not want to imply Mary was anything more than human. Maybe we want to make clear we should not pray to her. Likely, we do not want to “sound” like we are Roman Catholic.

Historically, the church has celebrated Mary as “theotokos” (God-bearer) not only on January 1st for her feast day, but also at the “Annunciation” on March 25th (9 months before the nativity) when the Angel Gabriel speaks the Lord’s word of favor to her.

On that occasion, in the midst of Mary’s fear and confusion, the angel Gabriel announces “you have found favor with God!” Mary was worthy. Mary was not only loved, but liked and blessed by God!

Mary must have wondered why she had been chosen for this task. Why would God choose her? But Scripture does not reveal there was anything special about Mary – other than that she was the mother of Jesus. She was special not because of anything she had done, but simply because God had chosen to put His Son in her.

And the same is true for us. We find favor with God simply because God has chosen to put His Holy Spirit in us – because by faith Jesus lives in us – because Jesus’ work was done for us!

So this week, and as the “Annunciation” approaches, let’s celebrate Mary – not because she was special – but because God chose her! And let’s celebrate that the Lord has found favor in us as well!

Prayer: Lord Jesus, Son of God, may we always find favor in your sight, not because we are righteous on our own, but because you live within us. Remind us always that you smile upon us with your love.

– Contributed by Pastor Koenig