Help is on the Way // Luke 1:31

Today is known as the Feast of the Annunciation, celebrated on March 25 of each year. This is the traditional day Christians hold that the Angel Gabriel came to tell Mary of the miracle in which she was chosen to participate: “You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus.” The name, Jesus, is actually a transliteration of His name into English. Jesus is rooted in the Hebrew, Joshua, meaning God saves. So, when the angel announced to Mary that she was to bear a son, the angel was also telling the world that help is on the way! God Himself was breaking into history and invading our world with His saving love and grace. It would be nine months before His cry would pierce the night, but God was already in the flesh, actively working toward the redemption of humanity. So, on this Annunciation Day, I hope you will take some time to consider how Jesus came to save you of your sins and to announce to others the same message delivered on December 25, “‘Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.’ Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.’” God’s favor is resting on all of us so we can rest forever in Him. Help arrived that day, but today — March 25 — we remember how God delivered the eternity-altering message that help is on the way!