Read Luke 1:1-4 

“Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile a narrative of the things that have been accomplished among us, just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word have delivered them to us, it seemed good to me also, having followed all things closely for some time past, to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, that you may have certainty concerning the things you have been taught.” – Luke 1:1-4

Can you imagine talking to eyewitnesses of all that surrounded the holy night Jesus was born? Can you just see in your mind’s eye the excitement and awe of what happened that night? Then, think about Luke. He walked alongside Jesus, served with Him, and sat under His teaching day after day. I wonder how he felt as he listened and wrote down the whole story. While we were not present during those days, we can still give testimony of who Jesus is based on His presence and power in our own lives. Isn’t it good to know our Savior still lives today?

Who was Luke writing to, and why?

How would you describe Jesus if you were writing a similar letter to a friend who was struggling with doubt in their own faith?

Spend time in prayer today, thanking Jesus for who He is to you! Reaffirm your belief in who He is by telling Him in prayer!

Read Luke 1: 5 – 25

And the angel answered him, “I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I was sent to speak to you and to bring you this good news. And behold, you will be silent and unable to speak until the day that these things take place because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their time.” – Luke 1:19-20

Luke 1:5-25 is the account of the birth of John the Baptist being foretold to his father, Zechariah. He was a priest serving in the temple when an angel appeared to him and gave him the news that he would have a son. The only problem was that Zechariah and his wife were very old and childless up until now, so he struggled to believe what the angel had told him. Because of his unbelief, he was unable to speak for an extended period of time. This story is an amazing example of God providing even in the midst of unbelief. We serve a God who will do what He wills to do, whether we can fathom it or not! 

How do you think you would have responded if an angel gave you news like this?

Do you practice listening to God in intentional ways? 

Has God ever assured you of something that you had a hard time believing? Or is He telling you something now you are struggling to believe? Write down your thoughts.

Read Luke 1:26-38

And Mary said to the angel, “How will this be since I am a virgin?” – Luke 1:34

Mary was no different than the rest of us in wanting to know how God was going to do what the angel said He was going to do. It all seemed so far-fetched and also very scary for her, I am sure. The culture of her day would frown on an unmarried, pregnant girl – and that is putting it lightly, so asking how seems like a pretty reasonable question in this scenario. But, we never see disbelief from Mary. She seeks clarity alone, and then she fully surrenders to the plan with no further questions. I am sure a million other questions were rolling around in her mind, but she chose faith over her questions. The angel says in verse 37, “For no word of God will ever fail.”  Isn’t it comforting to know that even when we don’t understand, God’s word will never fail us?

If you were Mary, what other questions would you have asked?

Is there something in your life you do not understand right now? If so, write it down then spend some time in prayer asking God all your questions, then leaving them at the throne. End your prayer time by committing to choose faith over your questions.

Read Luke 1:39-56

And Mary said, “My soul magnifies the Lord,
and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant.

For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed;
for he who is mighty has done great things for me,
and holy is his name. – Luke 1:46-49

Mary goes to visit with Elizabeth. Both of these women are experiencing the miracle of conception in different ways and in different seasons of life. As they share with one another Mary’s heart overflows and she prays a beautiful prayer recorded in Luke 1:46-55. This prayer is also known as Mary’s Magnificant. The Word magnificant means, “my soul magnifies The Lord.” This prayer is a song of thanksgiving and praise. In her prayer Mary expresses a deep abiding faith in God. Also in this portion of scripture we see the beauty and inspiration that comes from deep friendship with others who love The Lord. We need both of these things in our lives, community with other believers and communion with God. We can experience our Savior as we sit with others who know Him well. And as we sit in deep relationship with The Father, our hearts can overflow as Mary’s did in thanksgiving for the gift of Jesus!  

Today, write your own “magnificent” prayer. Let your soul magnify The Lord through prayer. 

Write down the names of the people who are the closest to you, who also love The Lord and thank God for their presence in your life!

Read Luke 1:57-80

“And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High;

for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways,

to give knowledge of salvation to his people

in the forgiveness of their sins,

because of the tender mercy of our God,

whereby the sunrise shall visit us from on high

to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death,

to guide our feet into the way of peace.” – Luke 76-79

This portion of Luke 1 could be titled, “God keeps His promises!” Zechariah has a son! If you remember, Zechariah has not been able to talk since the visit he had from an angel as he served in the temple. Now the child is born and his tongue is loosed. His first words were of praise to God, then he prophecies under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. In other words, he shares what the Holy Spirit has revealed to him about what the future holds for His new son, John. John would prepare the way for Jesus. He would preach and teach about the tender mercy of God who was making a way of salvation and forgiveness of sins. Elizabeth and Zechariah, Mary and Joseph, all of them chosen to prepare the way and bring into the world the greatest gift every known, Jesus! What an assignment! While this is awesome, it would be easy to think God would never trust you with this kind of thing. Yet, He did. He does. We too have an amazing assignment. It is up to us to share Jesus with this world in our life-time! How will the next generation know of the tender mercies of our God unless we share it?

Write down the name of someone you know who does not have a relationship with Jesus. 

This week begin to pray that God would open a door for you to share Jesus with this individual, then pray that you would have the bravery to step through the door when it opens. Remember, sharing your faith is not as hard as we like to make it. Just share your story of who Jesus is to you. The Holy Spirit will take it from there! All you have to do is be a willing participant with Him as your guide!