MONTHLY DEVOTIONAL FOR 20 DECEMBER
December 20, 2025
THE FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT
December 21, 2025
TODAY’S GOSPEL READING
20 DECEMBER, 2025
Luke 1:26-38
In the sixth month,
the angel Gabriel was sent from God
to a town of Galilee called Nazareth,
to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph,
of the house of David,
and the virgin’s name was Mary.
And coming to her, he said,
“Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with you.”
But she was greatly troubled at what was said
and pondered what sort of greeting this might be.
Then the angel said to her,
“Do not be afraid, Mary,
for you have found favor with God.
Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son,
and you shall name him Jesus.
He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High,
and the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father,
and he will rule over the house of Jacob forever,
and of his Kingdom there will be no end.”
But Mary said to the angel,
“How can this be,
since I have no relations with a man?”
And the angel said to her in reply,
“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 called holy, the Son of God.
And behold, Elizabeth, your relative,
has also conceived a son in her old age,
and this is the sixth month for her who was called barren;
for nothing will be impossible for God.”
Mary said, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord.
May it be done to me according to your word.”
Then the angel departed from her.
THE GOSPEL OF THE LORD!
REFLECTION
When Gabriel visits Mary, we encounter a God who enters human history quietly yet decisively. Mary, an ordinary young woman, is invited into an extraordinary plan. Troubled at first, she listens, questions, and finally trusts. Her “yes” is not blind resignation but courageous faith—faith that believes God’s word even when the future is unclear. Mary teaches us that God’s grace does not remove fear instantly, but it gives strength to move forward. When she says, “Let it be done to me according to your word,” she opens her life completely to God’s will, allowing divine love to take flesh through her obedience.
PRAYER
Gracious God,
You call us, as You called Mary, into plans greater than we can imagine.
In moments of fear and uncertainty, help us to listen with open hearts.
Grant us the humility to trust Your word and the courage to say “yes” to Your will.
May Your grace overshadow our lives,
so that Christ may be born anew through our thoughts, words, and actions.
We surrender ourselves to You, confident that nothing is impossible with You.
Amen
