Readings: Isaiah 7:10-14, Ps. 24:1-6, Luke 1:26-38
“Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favour with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus.” (Luke 1:30-31)
- In our first reading today, we are reminded of how Isaiah delivered a great sign to King Ahaz, who was frightened upon hearing of impending disaster. Ahaz and all the kingdom’s people needed to hear the name ‘Emmanuel’ and reassure themselves of God’s presence with them. They needed to know that their safety and protection do not lie in the weapons of war but in God’s presence with them.
- Our Gospel passage directly fulfils God’s sign to King Ahaz. God sent the Angel Gabriel to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, and the virgin’s name was Mary. Mary is that virgin that Isaiah spoke about, and she will be the one to conceive and give birth to this child named Emmanuel.
- However, instead of saying his name shall be Emmanuel according to Isaiah’s prophecy, the Angel Gabriel said to Mary: “And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a Son, and you shall call his name Jesus.”
- In other words, Christ had two names: ‘Emmanuel’ and ‘Jesus.’ Isaiah revealed his first name, which defines who He is: God with us. Angel Gabriel revealed his second name, which defines His role: Saviour of mankind. Jesus is God with us who has come to save us. That is, there is no contradiction in the two names.
- Like Jesus Christ, we all have two names: one that appears on our certificates and one that defines who we are. Although our names vary, our lives must reflect our real identity—Christlike, children of God. People should not only call us Christians; they must also see Christ in us.
- Sometimes, we ask: “How can I live like Christ when it is so hard to resist the temptation to sin?” Even Mary wondered: “‘How can this be since I am a virgin?” And the angel said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore, the child to be born will be holy; he will be called Son of God.” (Luke 1:34-35)
- In other words, it is not by our power but by the power of God. Just as the Holy Spirit produced a child in Mary’s womb, God wants to change your story. He wants to help you overcome sin and become Christ. Call on Him today. He made Elizabeth conceive in old age. It is not too late for God’s words to take flesh in your life. It is not too late for you to live out your Christian identity.
Let us pray: Almighty, ever-living God, work in us as you worked in Mary that so we may live fully out our Christian identity to task this through Our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God forever and ever. Amen.
Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. May God’s abundant blessings be upon us all. (December 20. Liturgical Colour: Violet. Bible Study: Isaiah 7:10-14, Ps. 24:1-6, Luke 1:26-38).
@Rev. Fr. Evaristus E. Abu