Welcome to Day 2774 of Wisdom-Trek. Thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom.
Day 2774– The Day Mary Met Gabriel – Luke 1:26-56

Putnam Church Message – 12/07/2025

Luke’s Account of the Good News – “The Day Mary Met Gabriel”

Last week, we continued our year-long study of Luke’s Narrative of the Good News in a message titled: “A Baby at our Age? Get Serious!”

This week is the second Sunday of Advent, which is Peace, as we continue to build anticipation of the coming Messiah. Today’s passage is the story of: “The Day Mary Met Gabriel.” – Peace in the Unexpected. Our Core verses for this week will be Luke 1:26-56, found on page 1588 of your Pew Bibles.

 The Birth of Jesus Foretold

²⁶ In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, ²⁷ to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. ²⁸ The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.”

²⁹ Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. ³⁰ But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. ³¹ You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. ³² He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, ³³ and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.”

³⁴ “How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?”

³⁵ The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called^[b] the Son of God. ³⁶ Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be unable to conceive is in her sixth month. ³⁷ For no word from God will ever fail.”

³⁸ “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Then the angel left her.

Mary Visits Elizabeth

³⁹ At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea, ⁴⁰ where she entered Zechariah’s home and greeted Elizabeth. ⁴¹ When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. ⁴² In a loud voice she exclaimed: “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear! ⁴³ But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? ⁴⁴ As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. ⁴⁵ Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!”

Mary’s Song

⁴⁶ And Mary said:  “My soul glorifies the Lord
⁴⁷     and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
⁴⁸ for he has been mindful
of the humble state of his servant.
From now on all generations will call me blessed,
⁴⁹     for the Mighty One has done great things for me—
holy is his name.
⁵⁰ His mercy extends to those who fear him,
from generation to generation.
⁵¹ He has performed mighty deeds with his arm;
he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts.
⁵² He has brought down rulers from their thrones
but has lifted up the humble.
⁵³ He has filled the hungry with good things
but has sent the rich away empty.
⁵⁴ He has helped his servant Israel,
remembering to be merciful
⁵⁵ to Abraham and his descendants forever,
just as he promised our ancestors.”

⁵⁶ Mary stayed with Elizabeth for about three months and then returned home.

OPENING PRAYER

Gracious Father, on this second Sunday of Advent, we thank You for the gift of Your peace— not the shallow peace of circumstances going our way, but the deep, steady peace that comes from Your presence.

As we open Your Word and walk with Mary through this unexpected calling,
teach us how to trust You when life does not go according to our plans.
Calm our fears, quiet our hearts, and let the Prince of Peace reign in us today.

We ask this in the firm and gentle name of Jesus.
Amen.

Introduction – Peace in a Turbulent World

Advent is traditionally a season of hope, peace, joy, and love.
But if we’re honest, many of us come into this season with anything but peace.

• Our news feeds are full of conflict.
• Our homes may carry unspoken tension.
• Our minds are cluttered with anxieties about health, finances, family, or the future.

Into that kind of world, /God sent His Son, /not into a stable culture, /not into calm politics, /not into a peaceful, quiet time… but into a world under Roman occupation, under Herodian cruelty, into a little backwater village that no one expected anything from. And into that world, God sent a message of peace to a young woman named Mary.

Luke 1:26–56 shows us not just what God did through Mary, but what God wants to do in us—how He brings His peace into fearful, confusing, unexpected places.

Main Point 1 – God’s Peace Enters Ordinary Places (Bulletin Insert) Luke 1:26–28

“In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a village in Galilee…” (Luke 1:26 NLT)

If you were planning the arrival of the Messiah, you might choose Jerusalem—the temple, the priests, the center of power. God chose Nazareth—a tiny, unimportant village in Galilee.

For many Jews, “Nazareth” was a joke. Later, Nathanael will say,  “Can anything good come from Nazareth?” (John 1:46).

That is the setting. /And into that setting, the angel Gabriel is sent—not to a queen, not to a priest, not to a scribe, but to a young, unknown, poor girl.

Luke is careful to emphasize Mary’s humility and ordinariness:

• She is from a small, overlooked town.
• She is a virgin, betrothed, waiting for the final stage of marriage.
• She has no status, no wealth, no platform.

And then the angel appears: “Greetings, favored woman! The Lord is with you!” (Luke 1:28 NLT)

Those words are not about Mary’s greatness. They are about God’s grace.

The Greek grammar behind “favored woman” implies a completed action done to her—she is not the source of grace; she is the recipient of grace, just like us.

Mary’s Inner Dialogue (Ancient Perspective) Put yourself in her sandals for a moment: “Why is an angel talking to me? I’m just a village girl. I’m not from Jerusalem, not from a priestly family. I don’t have anything to offer…”

And Heaven answers: “That’s exactly the point. It’s not about what you bring to God—it’s about what God brings to you.”

Modern Parallel: We may think, “I’m too ordinary. /My job is small. /My house is simple. /My life is not impressive.” And God says: “I’m not looking for impressive. / I’m looking for willing. / The Lord is with you.”

Object Lesson – The Clay Jar

Hold up a simple clay jar—plain, rough, unimpressive.  Explain: “If I were going to store something valuable, I’d choose a strong safe, a locked vault, a beautiful container.
But God says: ‘We have this treasure in jars of clay…’ (2 Corinthians 4:7).
Why? This makes it clear that our great power is from God, not from ourselves.

Summary of Main Point 1:
God’s peace doesn’t wait for perfect people or grand settings. He steps into ordinary lives, in overlooked places, and says: “The Lord is with you.”

Main Point 2 – God’s Peace Does Not Ignore Our Fear Luke 1:29–34

“Confused and disturbed, Mary tried to think what the angel could mean.” (Luke 1:29 NLT)

Mary is not a stained-glass statue. She is a real young woman, probably a teenager, who is suddenly confronted with a heavenly messenger and a life-changing announcement. /Her initial response? Not serene calm. Not instant composure. She is confused and disturbed.

And the angel says what angels so often say when God steps into human fear: “Don’t be afraid, Mary…” (Luke 1:30 NLT) “Do not be afraid” does not mean “There’s nothing scary here.”  /It means, “There is something scary—but I will be with you in it.”

The Real Weight of Mary’s Situation

We must remember the cultural context:

• Mary is betrothed, which was more binding than our modern engagement.
• Betrothal could only be ended by divorce.
• A pregnancy discovered during betrothal suggested adultery—
  which could lead to public shame, rejection, or even stoning (Deut. 22:23–24).

So when Gabriel says: “You will conceive and give birth to a son… and you will name him Jesus.” (1:31)

Mary cannot be naïve. She likely feels a tidal wave of thoughts:

• “What will Joseph do?
  What will my parents think?
  Will anyone believe me?
  Could this cost me my life?”

And into that swirl of fear, the angel says: “Do not be afraid… You have found favor with God.” (1:30)

Illustration – The Olive Press

In Hebrew, Gethsemane means “olive press.” To get oil, olives are crushed under tremendous pressure.
Ancient teachers would say: “The more the olive is pressed, the more precious its oil.”

In the same way, God’s people are often pressed—not to destroy them, but to release something precious.

Mary is about to enter her own Gethsemane of misunderstanding and pressure.
Peace does not mean she will avoid the press;  it means God will be with her in it.

Modern Illustration – The Pilot’s Son

Tell the story of the airplane in heavy turbulence. Passengers grip their armrests, and some begin to cry. The plane jolts; drinks spill. But a small boy is calm, quietly coloring in his seat. A woman finally asks, “Aren’t you afraid?”

He smiles and says: “No ma’am. My dad is flying the plane.”

That is a picture of Advent peace. Not the absence of turbulence—but trust in Who is in control.

Object Lesson – Two Boats

Place two small toy boats in a tub of water.

• One is empty and light—it tips and flips with every splash.
• The other has a small weight inside—it rocks, but stays upright.

Explain:

“Life’s waves hit everyone—believers and unbelievers alike. The difference is not the size of the storm; it’s the weight inside. The peace of Christ becomes that weight, keeping us from capsizing.”

Summary of Main Point 2:
Mary’s fear was real. God’s peace did not deny it or shame it. He spoke into her fear: “Do not be afraid… the Lord is with you.”

Main Point 3 – Peace Requires Surrender Luke 1:35–38

After Mary’s honest question— “How can this happen? I am a virgin” (1:34)—

Gabriel answers: “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the baby to be born will be holy, and he will be called the Son of God.” (1:35 NLT)

He doesn’t answer every question she might have. He doesn’t lay out the whole timeline, or how Joseph will respond, or what Nazareth will say, or how she will explain this to her parents.

He simply gives her what she needs to know:

• This will be God’s work, not yours.
• The Holy Spirit will do what is humanly impossible.
• This child will be holy, the Son of God.
• And to strengthen her, He mentions Elizabeth’s miraculous pregnancy and says:

“For nothing is impossible with God.” (1:37 NLT)

Mary then displays one of the most beautiful responses in all of Scripture:

“Mary responded, ‘I am the Lord’s servant. May everything you have said about me come true.’” (1:38 NLT)

She does not say:

• “Let me think about it.”
• “Give me a week.”
• “Tell me how this will all work out first.”

She chooses to surrender before certainty.

Ancient & Modern Dialogue

We can almost hear a deeper conversation in her heart: “Lord, I don’t understand this fully. I know this will be difficult. I know I may be misunderstood, misjudged, even rejected. But I trust You more than I trust my plans. I am Yours.”

And God’s response: “You will not avoid pain, Mary. But you will never be alone. And through your obedience, My peace and My salvation will come into the world.”

That is the heart of Advent peace: Not the absence of cost, but the presence of God in the cost.

Illustration – The Locked Door. (Far Side Cartoon) Imagine someone pushing on a door with all their strength. They strain, sweat, and get frustrated. Finally, someone comes beside them and points to the sign: “Pull, don’t push.”

We often push against circumstances, trying to control everything:
“If I push harder, I can make this work.” “If I worry more, maybe I can prevent something bad.”

Peace comes when we stop pushing and start surrendering.

Object Lesson – Closed Fist vs. Open Hand

Hold a small seed in a tightly closed fist. “As long as my hand is clenched, the seed cannot be planted, cannot grow, cannot bear fruit.”

Now open your hand. “Surrender is like this. When we open our hands to God, His peace and His purposes can take root in us.”

Summary of Main Point 3:
Peace is not found in control, but in surrender. Mary teaches us that saying “yes” to God may cost us comfort, but it never costs us His presence.

Main Point 4 – Peace Becomes Praise Luke 1:39–56 (The Visit to Elizabeth & The Magnificat)

Mary doesn’t stay in Nazareth. She travels south, into the hill country of Judea, to visit her cousin Elizabeth. When Mary calls out a greeting, Elizabeth’s baby (John) leaps in her womb, and Elizabeth is filled with the Holy Spirit.

She cries out:

“God has blessed you above all women, and your child is blessed.” (1:42 NLT)

Elizabeth confirms everything God has spoken to Mary—without Mary even explaining.

Imagine how that must have felt. Back in Nazareth, people will doubt her story.
Rumors will spread. Questions will arise.

But in Elizabeth’s home, she is believed, blessed, and encouraged.

“You are blessed because you believed that the Lord would do what he said.” (1:45 NLT)

Encouraged and confirmed, Mary responds not with analysis, but with worship.
She sings the beautiful song we call The Magnificat (1:46–55).

What’s remarkable is when she sings it:

• Joseph still hasn’t processed this fully (that will come in Matthew 1).
• Her family and community haven’t agreed with her.
• Her future still contains much uncertainty.

But Mary has heard from God.  She has surrendered. She has been confirmed by a godly friend. And now, before anything is resolved, she praises.

“Oh, how my soul praises the Lord. How my spirit rejoices in God my Savior!” (1:46–47 NLT)

Peace → Worship!

Throughout Scripture:

• Moses sang after the Red Sea parted.
• Hannah sang after Samuel was born.
• David sang after
• Zachariah Prophecy Song after the birth of John the Baptizer

Mary sings before the resolution because peace has taken root in her heart.

She rejoices:

• That God sees the humble.
• That God scatters the proud.
• That God lifts the lowly.
• That God keeps His promises to Israel.

Mary does not magnify herself.  She magnifies the Lord.

“He made this promise to our ancestors, to Abraham and his children forever.” (1:55 NLT)

Illustration – The Bell

Ring the Bell

Explain: “No matter how noisy the room is, this bell’s ring holds a pure tone.
Worship works like that. When life is noisy and chaotic, praising God tunes our hearts back to His frequency.”

Object Lesson – A Single Candle In Dim Light

Point to the Advent Candles – If I could completely darken the room.

“Peace doesn’t always remove the darkness or fix every circumstance. Often, peace looks like this— a single, steady light that reminds us: God is here. God is working. God keeps His promises.”

Summary of Main Point 4:
True Advent peace doesn’t just quiet fear—it leads us to worship God in the middle of uncertainty. Mary doesn’t wait until every problem is solved.
She magnifies the Lord because she trusts His character and His promises.

Applications & Takeaways – “His Will, His Way, His Timing” (Bulletin Insert)

From Mary’s story, we learn at least three key truths about Advent peace. (Advent Reading)

Application 1 – God’s Peace Is with Us, Even When We Can’t Feel It

When Gabriel said, “The Lord is with you,” nothing in Mary’s circumstances looked peaceful. The world was still under Rome. Herod still ruled cruelly.
Her future just got much more complicated.

Yet Heaven declared: “The Lord is with you.”

Philippians 4:7 says: “Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.” (NLT)

Sometimes, God’s peace is a felt calm. Other times, it is a stubborn assurance that will not let go of us, even when our emotions are all over the place.

Story – Corrie ten Boom in the Cell

Corrie ten Boom, imprisoned by the Nazis for hiding Jews, found herself in a cold prison cell, separated from family, facing an uncertain future. In that darkness, she cried out: “Lord, this darkness is too much.” And she sensed the Lord whisper: “No darkness is so deep that I am not deeper still.” God did not remove the prison. He gave her Himself in the prison.

Summary Takeaway 1: Peace is not ultimately a feeling we generate. Peace is the presence of Christ with us, whether we feel Him or not.

Application 2 – Peace Does Not Remove Trouble; It Redefines It

Jesus said: “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33 NLT)

Mary doesn’t get the trouble-free path. Being the mother of the Messiah will mean:

• Misunderstanding in Nazareth
• A difficult journey to Bethlehem
• Giving birth in poor conditions
• Fleeing to Egypt
• Watching her Son rejected
• Standing at the cross

But from Heaven’s perspective, these are not random disasters. They are part of God’s redemptive plan.

Illustration – The Gardener and the Rose Bush

A visitor watches a gardener cutting, digging, and pruning a rose bush. “Why are you hurting that plant?” he asks. The gardener replies: “If I don’t cut it, it won’t grow right. The pruning looks like harm, but it’s actually preparation for more blooms.”

Many times, what we call “trouble”, God is using as training, pruning, and preparation.  Romans 8:28 reminds us: “We know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.” (NLT) Not everything is good. But God works in all things for ultimate good.

Summary Takeaway 2: Peace does not mean we avoid hardship. It means our hardship is now in the hands of a good God who uses even pain for His glory and our ultimate good.

Application 3 – Peace Comes Through Surrender, Not Control

Mary’s posture is: “I am the Lord’s servant. May everything you have said about me come true.” (Luke 1:38 NLT)

She doesn’t know how Joseph will respond, how her reputation will fare, or what the long-term cost will be. But she knows Who is speaking. And that is enough.

Proverbs 3:5–6 says: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.” (NLT)

Illustration – Learning to Float

Think of a child learning to swim. At first, they thrash and panic, trying to control the water—and sink faster as a result.

The instructor gently says, “Stop fighting the water. Let it hold you. Relax and trust.”

The moment they stop fighting, they discover: The water can hold them.  We often cling to control: “God, if I don’t manage this, everything will fall apart.”

The Lord says, “Child, you are not the one holding the universe together. I am.
Let go—and let My peace hold you.”

Summary Takeaway 3: Peace is not gripping harder; it is trusting deeper. When we, like Mary, open our hands and say, “Lord, I am Your servant,” we make room for His peace to rule in our hearts.

Conclusion – Advent Peace in Our Lives

Mary’s story is not just a Christmas detail; it is a model of Advent peace:

• God enters ordinary places and ordinary people.
• He speaks into our fear, not around it.
• He calls us to surrender, not control.
• He leads us into worship, even before everything is resolved.

Today, you may be standing where Mary stood:

• Facing something unexpected.
• Carrying something heavy.
• Wondering what God is doing.
• Unsure of how people will respond.

Advent reminds us: The same God who spoke peace to Mary now speaks peace to you through His Son, Jesus Christ. “Glory to God in highest heaven,
and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.” (Luke 2:14 NLT)

Closing Prayer

Lord Jesus, Prince of Peace, we thank You for the way You came into Mary’s life
and into our world—quietly, humbly, powerfully. Thank you for still entering ordinary places and ordinary hearts.  Where we are fearful, speak “Do not be afraid.” Where we are clinging to control, help us to open our hands. Where life feels dark, light the candle of Your peace within us. Teach us, like Mary, to say,
“I am the Lord’s servant. May it be to me according to Your word.” May Your peace guard our hearts and minds in this Advent season and all the days to come. In Your holy name we pray, Amen.

Next week is the third Sunday of Advent, which is the Sunday of Joy. We will continue to prepare our hearts for the coming Messiah. Our message will be “The Prophet of the Most High!”  It will cover the scriptures of Luke 1:57-80.