Annunciation In My Nazareth

Good morning, Father. Thank you for this new morning, for the silence in which I can listen to Your voice. I come before You in my own small, simple Nazareth, amidst my daily worries and tasks, and I ask that You visit me, just as You visited Mary.

Just as You sent the angel Gabriel to her, send Your Holy Spirit to me today. In the whisper of the morning wind, in the singing of the birds, in the first light of day, may I hear Your loving greeting, which invites me into Your presence.

“Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with you!” (Luke 1:28)

Lord, at these words, I am often frightened like Mary. Who am I to be full of grace? Who am I that You should be with me? My heart is full of doubts and ponderings, wondering what this divine greeting of Yours could mean amidst my smallness and imperfection.

But in Your tenderness, You calm me and reveal to me the wonderful plan You have for me. You promise me new life, a new birth in You.

“Behold, you will conceive and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus.” (Luke 1:31)

This is not just a promise given to Mary; it is a promise You give to me every morning. You invite me to conceive Jesus in my heart and to bring Him forth to the world—through acts of love, with words of hope, with forgiveness.

“He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David.” (Luke 1:32)

“and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.” (Luke 1:33)

This is not just a story from the past. This is a promise for me, today. A promise that You are with me, that You dwell in me, and that Your kingdom has no end.

“Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel,” which means, God with us. (Matthew 1:23)

My reason resists, Lord. How? How will this happen in my life, so full of limitations, fears, and inabilities? How can I give birth to anything holy when I am so fragile and sinful?

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

And Your answer transcends my logic, my human calculations. You do not call me to rely on my own strength, but to open myself to Yours. Help me today to build upon the living stone of Your omnipotence.

“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 called holy—the Son of God.” (Luke 1:35)

This is Your promise, Lord. Where my powerlessness is, there is room for Your power. Where my hands are empty, there is an opportunity for Your work.

“For nothing will be impossible with God.” (Luke 1:37)

Lord, today I want to be like Mary. I want to set aside my fears and my plans and accept Yours. You are the King who serves, and I want to serve You today in all that I do and in everyone I meet.

“And Mary said, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.”” (Luke 1:38)

With this simple “yes,” with this complete surrender, the miracle of all miracles occurred. Your Word became tangible, Your love took on a face.

“And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.” (John 1:14)

Give me the faith that moves mountains of doubt, Lord. Give me the faith to believe Your promises, even when I do not understand them. Grant me the blessing of faith that trusts that all You have spoken to me will be fulfilled.