Advent Devotional December 20, 2025

Scripture

Luke 1:26-36

26 In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, 27 to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. 28 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. 32 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 ancestor David. 33 He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.” 34 Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I am a virgin?” 35 The angel said to her, “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 holy; he will be called Son of God. 36 And now, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son, and this is the sixth month for her who was said to be barren.

Devotion

The Rev. Dr. Lucinda Isaacs '25

What is it like to be Gabriel? Can you imagine being sent by God to tell someone—in this case, Mary—that their life will be completely disrupted? Nothing will ever be the same. Maybe it’s the years of ministry speaking, but I feel sorry for Gabriel. It must have felt like such a big assignment. Ministry has taught me how much love it requires to tell someone exactly what they need to hear.

What tone of voice does Gabriel use? We often think that telling the truth is fiery and empowering. We often hear the emboldening voices of the prophets, but Gabriel reminds us that telling the truth often requires tenderness. Tenderness is needed to tell someone that their world is smaller than God intends, just as it requires tenderness to say with a straight-face that nothing will be impossible with God.

I wonder how Gabriel processed after his visitation to Mary. What type of self-care did he do? What practices were involved beforehand in order for him to speak with such tenderness and care? I ask not out of theoretical curiosity; rather, I ask because I have so much to learn.

We live in a moment that requires us to speak truth because we, too, yearn to see the birth of something greater than ourselves. Maybe God is asking you to speak a truth that disrupts routines. Speak a word of possibility in the face of atrophying imaginations. Gabriel’s job wasn’t easy. However, he opens by speaking of favor. I don’t know if I do that enough. Maybe it gave him the assurance he needed to keep speaking. When he tells Mary, “Fear not,” I am open to the possibility that he was also speaking to himself, which means, I think, he was speaking to us, too.

Prayer

Come, Holy Spirit; overshadow our doubts and fears with the confidence of Your love. When we think nothing more is possible, birth new possibility among us. Enliven our imaginations to better receive Your truth in this world. Then give us the tenderness and care to speak truth to one another. Amen.