# Be Ready - Tuesday, 2025.12.09 And the angel came to her and said, “Greetings, favored woman! The Lord is with you.” {Luke 1.28 (CSB)} ## Favored Woman I have always "assumed" Luke was giving us a positive critique of Mary by quoting these words from the angel, "favored woman". I thought is said something like, "Greetings to God's favorite woman." Turns out, that is NOT what it says. The Greek word translated "favored" is actually related to "grace" which is a gift. So, a better interpretation (for my benefit) could be, "Greetings to the woman who has received LOTS of grace from God." Some people like to think that Mary was sinless. I'm not sure what Bible passages they use to make that conclusion, however, this can't be one of them. This one is all about Mary receiving gifts from God. On the other-hand, I believe that everything we have is a gift (grace) from God. Whether it is the "good stuff" such as our heart beats, our families, our jobs, our friends, our stuff, our etc. or the challenges we endure, they are all a gift from God. For that matter, especially the opportunity to spend eternity hanging with the Creator is a gift. {Ephesians 2.8-9} If there is any-chance of me getting into heaven, I'm going to need LOTS more favor (grace) than Mary ever received. But thanks be to God who gives (grace) us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ! {1 Corinthians 15.57 (BSB)} How about you, what are some examples of favor (grace) you have received from God?