This post is Day 2 in a series of studies about “Surprises”. I strongly suggest you begin with the introduction to this study, please click here to read it.

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Surprises – Day 2

Until the physical signs of pregnancy began in her body, Mary must have spent many hours pondering what the angel had said, and really wondering if it had not all been a dream. But her first real external confirmation came when she visited her relative Elizabeth who was also pregnant!

Luke 1:30-33

The angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favour with God. You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call hHm Jesus. 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, and He will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; His kingdom will never end.”

The Thought

One of the biggest surprises in the history of the world must have been this angelic visitation. Mary knew the scriptures and was a devout young woman. That’s why she was chosen, or maybe she had been prepared by God for this very moment and mission.

Devout as she was, Mary was not accustomed to seeing an angel in her home. The fact that he was there was a huge surprise. But what he said must have been an even bigger one!

Until the physical signs of pregnancy began in her body, Mary must have spent many hours pondering what the angel had said, and really wondering if it had not all been a dream. But her first real external confirmation came when she visited her relative Elizabeth who was also pregnant! That was another plan of our “God of surprises”!

As soon as Mary arrived at Zechariah and Elizabeth’s home, the baby which Elizabeth was carrying jumped in her womb, and reacted to the baby Mary had recently heard she was carrying! What a surprising moment that must have been.

Action

Praise God for that amazing time in the history of the world.

Read Luke 2 and be blessed by the surprises mentioned there. Make a note in your mind about Mary’s description of God and all the good things He has done (Luke 2:46-56).

Thinking of the good things God has done for you would be a worthwhile exercise to do in your prayer time today.

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