Reflection: In these verses time is told not in the years of a king’s reign but in terms of the months of a baby’s gestation. The time and place of a baby’s life, not yet born but already alive and known and seen by God, and through Scripture, known by us as well.

Gabriel was tasked with giving the greatest piece of news the world had ever heard up to that point. It could have been dated according to reign of the Roman ruler, or in the number of years since Abraham, yet the timing of Gabriel’s news for Mary is told in terms of the months of gestation of John the Baptist.

The Lord’s timing is different to ours. And he places importance on things we may see as insignificant. He values what we perhaps do not. Are you willing to have your values and beliefs and all you hold dear shaken up beyond the point of comfort?

Prayer: Dear Father, you alone are my comfort and my redeemer. Amen.