Monday: Understanding
Pray: Begin by making the sign of the cross and calling upon God's name.
From God to us, from death to life, from me to you …
in the name of the Father, and of the Son + and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
O God, thank you for being with us. Help us to learn more about your mighty power as we study your Word today. We ask this through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
Listen: Pay close attention as these verses from the Bible are read aloud.
Luke 1:26-38
One month later God sent the angel Gabriel to the town of Nazareth in Galilee with a message for a virgin named Mary. She was engaged to Joseph from the family of King David. The angel greeted Mary and said, “You are truly blessed! The Lord is with you.” Mary was confused by the angel’s words and wondered what they meant.
Then the angel told Mary, “Don’t be afraid! God is pleased with you, and you will have a son. His name will be Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of God Most High. The Lord God will make him king, as his ancestor David was. He will rule the people of Israel forever, and his kingdom will never end.” Mary asked the angel, “How can this happen? I am not married!” The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come down to you, and God’s power will come over you. So your child will be called the holy Son of God. Your relative Elizabeth is also going to have a son, even though she is old. No one thought she could ever have a baby, but in three months she will have a son. Nothing is impossible for God!” Mary said, “I am the Lord’s servant! Let it happen as you have said.” And the angel left her. (CEV)
Engage: Talk about the Bible by having parents respond to children’s questions.
Child: What do you imagine the angel Gabriel looked like? How do you think you might react if an angel showed up with a message for you? Why?
Child: Mary was likely a teenager when she was visited by Gabriel. Can you think of other stories in the Bible where God has chosen young people to do important things? What are they?
Affirm: Pray for God to put his Word into action in your daily life.
Heavenly Father, you are a God of surprises. Even when we may not understand your plan, help us to accept all that you bring into our lives, as Mary did. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
Have each person in the family bless one another with these words:
May you believe in God’s good plan! Amen.