On the fourth day of Christmas… Dec. 28, 2013

And he came to her and said, "Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you." ²⁹ But she was much perplexed by his words and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. ³⁰ The angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. ³¹ And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus.”                             –Luke 1:28-31 (NRSV)

Mary may have been in the middle of her morning chores, probably dreaming about her future, her marriage to Joseph, her life as a wife and mother.  Then God interrupted her plans with a plan of his own.  She would be the one to bear the Messiah, as the angel Gabriel told her (Luke1:26-35).  Mary gave all she had by answering: “Behold I am the handmaid of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” (GIVE MORE) 

This way of God proclaiming and guiding was not totally unheard of at this time.  God had used an angel in Jewish history speaking to Daniel and before Mary, Gabriel was sent to Zechariah to announce the birth of a son named John.  Now God was sending his greatest message.  God chose to speak in a sign language that any Jewish person was supposed to understand.  Showing signs of his favor, God dispatches an angelic courier to speak directly to the young shepherds (but not to the chief priests or the elders).  It was the highest witnessing to God’s gift of his Son.  This message set a seal upon this event that made it undeniable.

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying, ¹⁴  "Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors!"
                                                                      –Luke 2:13-14 (NRSV)

More angels, a multitude, sent to proclaim clearly that God was offering them peace to be given for the benefit of all!

(LOVE ALL)

God of all peoples, open our hearts to ‘angelic’ messages that guide us to your peace and your love for everyone around us.