Christmas According to Kids Part 2 — Mary Knew - Friday
TODAY’S VERSE
Luke 1:28
And he came to her and said, “Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!” (ESV)
A few years ago, I visited a quiet lakeside cabin for a weekend retreat. One evening, as the sun dipped below the horizon, I sat alone on the dock watching the water shimmer. The sky was changing colors rapidly, and a gentle breeze stirred the surface of the lake. Even though I was alone physically, I felt an overwhelming sense of peace and reassurance—as if I wasn’t truly alone at all. That presence calmed the anxieties I hadn’t even realized I was carrying.
When the angel greeted Mary she was filled with a mixture of fear, confusion, and awe. Before Gabriel told her God’s plan, he reassured her: “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.” God’s favor and His presence came first, not the instructions or the calling. Even in the middle of life-changing news, the assurance of God’s nearness grounded her heart.
We often want answers first. Clarity first. Relief first. But God gives presence first. In moments of uncertainty, fear, or anxiety, His nearness provides the courage and reassurance we need to step forward. Presence doesn’t always remove difficulty, but it strengthens our hearts in the midst of it.
The presence of God transforms how we see life’s challenges. When we feel overwhelmed, His nearness is a reminder that we are not navigating circumstances alone. Like Mary, we can face the unknown because the One who calls us is already with us.
Mary’s story reminds us that God’s presence is both personal and practical. It changes her response from fear to faith, from hesitation to obedience. God’s presence isn’t abstract—it equips, sustains, and empowers us to walk boldly into what He has called us to do.
Presence also invites peace and courage into ordinary moments. It doesn’t only matter in crises. Every day, in conversations, decisions, or moments of uncertainty, God’s presence provides guidance, comfort, and perspective. Knowing He is with us reorients our hearts and minds from worry to trust.
We live in a world that often emphasizes self-reliance. But Mary’s story reminds us that our strength comes not from our abilities but from walking with the One who never leaves us. God’s presence is the constant we can lean on, a steady anchor when the storms of life rage.
APPLICATION
Where do you need to be reminded that God is with you right now? How might His presence change the way you approach your situation, your decisions, or your fears?
PRAYER
Lord, thank You that before anything else, You give Yourself. Remind me today that I am never alone. Let Your presence be my peace, my courage, and my confidence in every circumstance. Teach me to live each moment aware of Your nearness, trusting that You are guiding and sustaining me. Amen.