“The angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name Him Jesus” (Luke 1:30-31).
Do not be afraid; you have found favor with God. This is not just for Mary, but for all who come into the grace which has come because Jesus was born. The name Jesus means “God’s salvation.” All who come to Him enter into God’s salvation which begins with repentance and the forgiveness of sin. That is the beginning. Becoming a sanctified child of God will take the rest of your life.
We each have conceived in us the image of Christ and it must grow so that we become like Christ. Step by step and day by day, we are called to be conformed to the image of Christ our Savior. There is much fear in this world and this fear is debilitating. Greater is He who is in you that anything in this world which He made. He has come to lead you in overcoming the adversity of this world.
Lord, You have come to lead me in salvation. Through You alone comes hope. I fear and I forget that You have told me to not be afraid. Send forth Your Spirit so that I may live in the hope You give me. Guide me according to the Father’s purpose to live into the life You have set before me. May salvation grow within me as You gestated in Mary’s womb. Help me to become like You. Amen.
