Scripture:
“I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” – Luke 1:38
Devotional:
When Gabriel spoke God’s plan to Mary, she faced a choice. She was young, poor, and ordinary. The angel’s words meant her life would change forever. There would be whispers, doubts, and struggles. Mary could have clung to safety. She could have asked for another way.
Instead, she whispered one of the greatest responses of faith in history: “I am the Lord’s servant. May your word to me be fulfilled.”
Mary trusted God. She didn’t have all the answers, but she knew the One who had spoken. And that was enough. Her yes opened the door for Jesus to step into the world.
This is the invitation of Advent — God still comes to us with His promises. He still asks us to trust Him, to surrender our plans and say yes. The question is: will fear hold us back, or will faith move us forward?
Application:
What is one place in your life where God is asking you to trust Him more fully?
How can Mary’s yes encourage you to surrender with courage and faith?
Prayer:
“Lord, thank You for Mary’s trust and surrender. Give me the same courage to say yes to You, even when I don’t understand. Help me to believe Your promises are always good and true. Amen.”
Family Advent Activities
1. Mary’s Yes Prayer Pouch (Quiet Craft)
Give each child a small envelope or fold a piece of paper into a pocket.
On the front, write: “I Will Trust God.”
Let kids decorate it with crayons, markers, or stickers.
Give them slips of paper where they can draw (or write with help) things they want to trust God with.
Place the slips inside the pouch and keep it somewhere visible during Advent.
Tie-in: “Mary trusted God with her whole life. We can trust Him with our worries and prayers too.”
2. Step of Trust Path (Active Play)
Cut out paper footprints and place them in a line across the room, leading to a picture of Jesus, a manger, or a cross.
On each footprint, write simple words: “Trust,” “Yes,” “God,” “Love.”
Children walk the path, saying each word as they step until they reach the end.
Tie-in: “Mary took a step of trust when she said yes to God. Every step we take toward Jesus shows we trust Him too.”
Recipe Option:
Mary’s Yes Heart Cookies
Bake or buy heart-shaped sugar cookies.
Frost with white icing and use red or gold gel to write “YES” on each cookie.
Tie-in: “Mary’s yes changed the world. These cookies remind us that our yes to God matters too.”
