We’re working through the second week of Advent, which some call the week of faith. Luke records the conversation between Mary and Elizabeth, which includes this observation of Mary by Elizabeth:

Great favor is upon you, for you have believed every word spoken to you from the Lord. (Luke 1.45, Passion Translation)

There’s a faith statement!

Luke gives us these confirming signs of Jesus’ identity in Luke 1:

• Elizabeth’s pregnancy in old age (Luke 1.24, 25)
• Mary’s pregnancy without a man (Luke 1.30 – 38)
• John leaping in the womb (Luke 1.39 – 45)
• Mary’s prophecy (Luke 1.46 – 55)

Great favor is upon you because you have believed every word spoken to you from the Lord.

That’s our challenge now, isn’t it? To believe. Believers are a decreasing minority right now (that’s something that needs to turn around), but the challenge is to believe. Not explain the wonder out of it or eliminate the stories through so-called scholarship. I don’t criticize the text; I let the text criticize me.

And without faith living within us it would be impossible to please God. For we come to God in faith knowing that he is real and that he rewards the faith of those who give all their passion and strength into seeking him. (Hebrews 11.6, Passion Translation)